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GolfTalkCentral

Are you gellin'?: Lefty, Furyk formidable pairing

By Ryan Ballengee
Nov 17, 2011 10:29 PM ET

Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk are one of two American teams not to lose in the first two days of the Presidents Cup.

Having only played together in a single Ryder Cup match in 1999 - a loss to Sergio Garcia and Jesper Parnevik - it may seem odd that Mickelson asked for the two to play together. Looking at the partners who have gelled best with Mickelson at the Presidents Cup, however, it makes more sense.

Mickelson has scored the most points in the biennial matches with Tom Lehman, earning a 4-1 record together between the 1994 and 2000 matches. Chris DiMarco is Mickelson's second best partner, going 3-1-1 in '03 and '05.

Lehman, DiMarco and Furyk are very similar - and suitable - partners for Mickelson. All three have somewhat unconventional, homemade swings. Furyk has struggled with putting, just as DiMarco did before going to the Gator Grip. Even at his best, Lehman battled with the flat stick.

The trio have a reputation as blue-collar, bulldog-type players who can get the job done. The style is a perfect contrast to the panache with which Mickelson plays the game.

Watch wall-to-wall coverage of the Presidents Cup live on Golf Channel. Tournament air times: Golf Channel Friday 3PM-midnight and Saturday 6:30PM-12:30AM. NBC coverage Saturday at 8AM and Sunday at noon. (Note: all times are ET)