US vet Mickelson knows how to pick his spots

Phil Mickelson hopes to create another chapter in his lengthy Ryder Cup career and erase any notion that the US teams don't bond together as solidly as their European counterparts. The 40-year-old Mickelson is making his ninth consecutive Ryder Cup appearance, a record for a US player. "It would be a great misperception to think that the US team didn't gel or get along and that led to poor play," Mickelson said after his practice round on Wednesday. Europe has won or retained nine of the last 13 Ryder Cups, including the last one in 2010 at Celtic Manor, Wales. "I think the veterans need to feed off the younger players as much as the young players need a little bit of guidance from the experienced players," Mickelson said. "Our highlights, our moments that we look back on in the Ryder Cup are '99 and '08, the two times we have won. We want to create another memory, another special week." While the pairings aren't official yet, Mickelson says he expects to be partnered with last year's PGA Tour rookie of the year Keegan Bradley. "I am going to be playing a lot with Keegan Bradley," Mickelson said. "It is no secret here. It is fun playing with Keegan because this is his first event and first team event. "He is so excited and that exuberance and energy that he brings, you feed off it." Like his American teammates, Mickelson does not have a winning record in Ryder Cup. In 34 matches, he has 11 wins, six halves and 17 losses. US skipper Davis Love says he has a seen a change in Mickelson's approach to the event over the years. Love likes the leadership that Mickelson brings to the team but also says Mickelson has now learned to pick his spots. "He's a lot like Tiger," Love said. "They both came to the teams trying to win a whole bunch of points and they thought that was what they were supposed to do and now they just want to win. "I think the difference with a veteran is that Phil gets it. He knows what to say at the right time. He knows when to be serious and when to make a joke and have fun." Mickelson says the Ryder Cup practice rounds this week are quite different than practising for a PGA Tour because of all the variables involved in a team event. "There's more to it than just seeing the course and developing a game plan. In a Ryder Cup you are trying to find out which partner would be best to help bring your best golf out," Mickelson said. "Then you're talking about what tees you'll tee off on and how you want to attack the golf course in alternate-shot or foursomes, and then you're talking about strategy with golf balls and equipment that may be a factor. "So there's a little bit more to it than just a major championship where you're trying to decide how to play a course."