MEDINAH, Ill. – The Americans’ premier pairing of Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley kept rolling Saturday at the Ryder Cup – more impressively than ever.
After knocking off two of Europe’s best teams on Friday, Mickelson closed out his Saturday foursomes match in style, knocking it to tap-in range on the 13th to trounce Luke Donald and Lee Westwood, 7 and 6, and put the first point on the board for the Americans.
It equaled the highest winning margin of victory in the team format.
“To be able to share this experience with Keegan and partake in his great play and experience a Ryder Cup together has been really awesome,” Mickelson said. “We’ve had so much fun, the crowd provided so much energy, and it’s brought our best golf out.”
U.S. captain Davis Love III may have wanted to give the 42-year-old Mickelson a break before Sunday singles, but the way he and Bradley are playing, the decision could be met with some opposition.
“I’m going to leave that up to Captain Davis,” Bradley said, “but right now I’m thrilled I got to share this with Phil.”
Mickelson, though, was more pointed in his comments. On the NBC Sports broadcast, he told on-course reporter Roger Maltbie: “Historically, guys who have played five matches have not done well in singles. … Don’t be surprised if we end up not playing (in the afternoon). We don’t want to risk two points for one.”
When Mickelson and Bradley finished their match, the U.S. led two matches and trailed in the other.
After Day 1, they led Europe, 5-3.