Mickelson woe over Ryder Cup misery

Phil Mickelson spoke today about how much his dismal performance at last September’s Ryder Cup hurt him.

He described the week in Ireland as “every bit as disappointing” as his last-hole collapse at the United States Open three months earlier.

Mickelson managed only half a point from his five games at the K Club as the Americans suffered a record-equalling defeat to Europe.

“I really thought we were going to come home with the trophy,” said the world number four, who did not play another tournament all year.

“That’s why I worked so hard in the off-season. What I am hoping is that I will have better stamina and better endurance to withstand eight months of intense competition and to compete well in the Presidents Cup, Ryder Cup and FedEx Cup.”

After a slow start to the year Mickelson won at Pebble Beach by five strokes on Sunday and is now eagerly looking forward to his defence of the Masters in April.

The left-hander won for the second time in three years at Augusta last spring and was on course for a third major in a row until he double-bogeyed the final hole of the US Open and lost by one to Geoff Ogilvy.

“An ’interesting’ year is probably the best word,” he added. “It started out with such promise and I played some of my best golf ever, but it didn’t end the way I wanted it to.

“I don’t feel discouraged. There was still some good that came out of it and I am really excited about this year.”

Mickelson goes for two wins in a row at the Nissan Open in Los Angeles this year and in the first two rounds partners Ernie Els, back in the States after finishing first, third and second in his last three European Tour starts in South Africa and the Middle East.