Quotes of the Week: Sept. 2, 2018

“You got to talk smack. You got to say, ‘You sure you hit driver?’ You know, something like that. Like it doesn’t seem like a big walk. Those little subtle comments - that’s how you get to guys.” – to a young boy named Riley whom Mickelson let caddie for him in the pro-am at the Dell Technologies Championship

“I was very nervous because I didn’t want to screw it up. This is it. So if it doesn’t fuse, there really is no other option.” – recalling the dread he felt at the possible end of his career before undergoing his most recent back surgery

“I’ve learned more about my game this year than any other season, no doubt.” – on making a positive out of his struggles this year

“I’m definitely looking forward to partnering up with Brooks. I think we’d make a pretty good team – and I feel bad for anyone who would have to play us.” – on a potential Ryder Cup partnership with Brooks Koepka

“I just needed to have a couple of weeks off and sort of assess where I was at and what I needed to do to improve and go forward.” – on what he did instead of playing the first event in the FedExCup Playoffs

“I was on an app, a video, with him, because I was too embarrassed to go into the store to buy a putter.” – revealing that it was his caddie Mark Crane, not him, who purchased his latest putter for $172

''I don’t want to just have a couple of good years and have it go away for two years. There are a few guys that are always top 10 in the world. I want to do that.’'

“It was a tougher transition than I thought.” – on his struggles since the ban on anchored putting

“Cannot put into words how happy I am right now! It’s always been my dream to be a Ryder Cup Player, but it’s going to be even more special with my great friend @ThomasBjornGolf as captain! Bring it on.” – via Twitter, after qualifying for the European Ryder Cup team