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Phil Mickelson says U.S. Ryder Cup captain's picks already decided

There will be some drama on Monday when Davis Love III names three of his four wild-card picks to round out the U.S. Ryder Cup team.

However, Phil Mickelson suggested on Sunday that Love has already done his work and made his picks.

After finishing the BMW Championship, Mickelson, who goes into the Tour Championship ranked 13th in the standings, said that the Americans have a “real game plan” and are already set with their pairings for the foursomes and fourball matches at Hazeltine.

“We know who is going to be playing with who, when they’re going to be playing, what matches,” Mickelson said.

Well, OK then.

Mickelson credited vice-captain Tiger Woods for a lot of that game planning.

“I am so happy to see how well he has thought this through,” Mickelson said. “I can’t believe our conversations just this week, how detailed he is and the pairings, the possibilities, the players. Not just what matches they’re going to play, but where on the list. He has got us really a good, solid game plan that is easy to buy into and get behind. I’m very impressed.”

Phil Mickelson says the U.S. Ryder Cup team already has its gameplan. (Getty Images)
Phil Mickelson says the U.S. Ryder Cup team already has its game plan. (Getty Images)

Weeks ago, Woods told Love who he thought should get the four captains picks, and the American captain has credited Woods with being the team’s “tactician.” Apparently, that wasn’t just lip service.

That’s all well and good, but why, then, should there be a protracted process to make and reveal the picks? After Monday, another pick will be made the day after the Tour Championship ends on Sept. 26. Mickelson, who was on the Ryder Cup Task Force after the 2014 defeat in Scotland, defended that process.

“Just in case somebody gets really hot,” he said, “we still have the option to add somebody that we didn’t expect to play at that level and we want to ride the hot hand.”


Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.


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