Koepka says he ‘won’t do’ in-round interviews

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WV. – Phil Mickelson has his sights firmly set on breaking his winning drought and surging into Team USA for the Presidents Cup over the next two months. Starting this week at The Greenbrier Classic, where Mickelson will be without long time caddy Jim “Bonesâ€� Mackay for the first time since 1992, the 47-year-old says he’s driven to make his season count. Currently sitting a respectable 40th in the FedExCup thanks to four top-10s, Mickelson has loftier goals. He is approaching the four-year anniversary since his 42nd, and last, PGA TOUR win at the 2013 Open Championship. “It is a big goal of mine to make it on that Presidents Cup team. I’m a member at Liberty National. I love the golf course. I love playing golf in the metropolitan area and would love nothing more than to be on that team and continue the streak,â€� Mickelson, who has played in all 11 Presidents Cups, and every Ryder Cup since 1994, said. “After having received a captain’s pick last time, I feel it’s important I make it on my own. I’ve got six events to make this team. I’ve been working hard with my instructor to make be sure I’m swinging the way I need to. “So I’ve got six good tournaments, and I am going to be putting everything I can into it to get on that team.â€� With five of the 10 players currently in the automatic pick slots for Team USA having no experience in either Presidents Cups or Ryder Cups, a veteran like Mickelson could be extremely valuable. He currently sits 15th on the points list. “We have a lot of really good young talent, a lot of really great personalities that bring out the best in each other, and I would love to be a part of that,â€� he added. Mickelson is now an ambassador for The Greenbrier, but has not yet turned his love for the course and area into results. In three previous attempts from 2011-2013, he missed the cut at The Old White TPC but feels this year can be different. “My record here has not been stellar, but I’ve really gotten some good work in these last couple days in the one area I had struggled in the past, which is distance control with my irons,â€� he said. “Given the altitude being significantly higher than sea level, getting dialed in with the altitude and how different the ball flies for different trajectories (has been the key). “I’ve had a chance the last two days getting adjusted to that, and I believe that’s going to make a difference. “I feel like my game is at the level that I’ve been playing well enough to win, but I haven’t had those results and put myself in contention the way I would like to. It would mean a lot to me if I were able to get it done.â€� As for playing without Mackay for the first time, Mickelson preferred to focus on who he does have on the bag – brother Tim. He will work with him throughout the remainder of 2017, but as yet has no long-term plans for a new bagman. “I’m so appreciative of the time I have had with Bones for 25 years that anything I say positively about what I’m looking forward to with Tim and so forth I feel would be taken as a shot at Bones. I don’t want to do that. I have too much respect for him and our time together over the years,â€� Mickelson explained. “The thing I would say is Tim is one of my favorite people. I love being around him. He’s one of the people I respect the most, and throughout my career he’s been so supportive of me. “After having not won for four years, knowing that my game is at a level that is good enough to win but not having done it, I think the one thing is an element of maybe being comfortable with my brother and maybe he gets me a little bit more relaxed and takes pressure off me and maybe I’ll play my best that way. “We’re going to have fun the last half of the season, and I play my best when I’m having fun.â€�

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