EDISON, N.J. – Many times this season, Keegan Bradley has credited Phil Mickelson’s mentorship as very influential in his successful rookie season.
The New England native will get to experience competing with Lefty in a tournament for the first time on Thursday as the two are grouped with Luke Donald for the first round of The Barclays.
Mickelson, though, has seen more than enough of Bradley to know that the rookie should be on the U.S. Presidents Cup team in November.
“I think he needs to be a [captain’s] pick if he doesn’t get on it on his own,” Mickelson said Wednesday at The Barclays.
The four-time major winner is impressed with what Bradley accomplished in his maiden season.
“This is his first year, meaning he was not allowed to make Presidents Cup points, and he’s had arguably the best year for any U.S. player,” he explained.
Effusive with praise for the rookie, Mickelson said Bradley has a complete game – mentally and physically.
“There’s no substitute for speed, and he’s got a lot of clubhead speed. But more than that, he’s got an incredible touch on the green. I mean, he putts really, really well. And he’s got great short game, good hand action, great short irons, but really hit the ball a long ways if he has to,’ Mickelson said.