Mickelson glad to be back in Kentucky

It has not been a great summer for American golfers, what with Tiger Woods’ back troubles, Dustin Johnson’s ‘leave of absence’ and a European surge up the world rankings.

So Team USA could be forgiven for a collective smile at the thought of returning to Valhalla Golf Course this week as the 96th PGA Championship is played out on a course that gave them so many happy memories at the 2008 Ryder Cup.

It was here in Kentucky six years ago that the Americans, led by captain Paul Azinger, turned the tables on the previously dominant Europe, whipping up the home fans with a pep rally in downtown Louisville on the eve of the matches, outsmarting rival skipper Nick Faldo and getting the best out of the game’s great stars who had so often underachieved in a team environment.