Rory: Phil said US Ryder Cup task force copied Europe

Rory McIlroy lands Phil Mickelson right in it...

Andy Roberts's picture
Thu, 22 Feb 2018

Rory McIlroy has revealed how Phil Mickelson told him the United States' Ryder Cup task force is a straight copy of the European team.

McIlroy, who was paired alongside Mickelson at Pebble Beach two weeks ago, let the cat out of the bag to the media ahead of this week's Honda Classic at PGA National.

“Basically, all they are doing is copying what the Europeans have done,” said McIlroy said.  “That's what he (Mickelson) said.”

The Europeans claimed their sixth of seven Ryder Cups with their victory at Gleneagles in 2014, and it pushed the Americans into doing something about it. 

Mickelson called out the tactics of 2014 captain Tom Watson, who was outmaneuvered by European captain Paul McGinley.

Two years later, the Americans defeated Europe with a commanding 17-11 victory at Hazeltine. 

“He said the first thing they did in that task force was Phil played a video, a 12-minute video of Paul McGinley to all of them,” said McIlroy.

“So, they are copying what we do, and it's working for them. It's more cohesive, and the team and the core of that team are more in control of what they are doing, instead of the PGA of America recruiting and someone telling them what to do.”