The First Look: THE NORTHERN TRUST

Phil Mickelson will continue his Ryder Cup legacy as part of the captaincy crew after being formally named as a Vice Captain for Steve Stricker’s U.S. Team for the 2021 Ryder Cup later this month at Whistling Straits. Stricker named Mickelson, a veteran of all 12 Ryder Cups since 1995, along with Fred Couples, as Vice Captains to join the previously announced Davis Love III, Jim Furyk and Zach Johnson to join his squad for the Sept. 21-26 contest against Europe in Wisconsin. “I’ve been staying in close contact with both Freddie and Phil, talking about all things Ryder Cup, for a while now,” Stricker said via statement. “They provide honest and impactful feedback, and both have such a passion for the Ryder Cup. I’m honored that they were willing to join our Team and help put us in the best position to win in a few weeks at Whistling Straits.” Mickelson had been fighting for a place as a player in the team after becoming the oldest winner of a major at the PGA Championship in May but sits 20th on the points list and failed to qualify for the TOUR Championship, the last tournament before Stricker adds his six captains picks to his six automatic qualifiers. “I’m humbled and honored to be a part of this year’s Ryder Cup as an assistant captain. Thank you Captain Stricker for including me and I hope to help in an way possible. GoUSA,” Mickelson tweeted in response to the news. His playing record will now seemingly end at 18-22-7 in Ryder Cups, with his 47 matches a record for the U.S. Team. He also holds the U.S. record for most fourball points won with nine and most Ryder Cups with 12. Collin Morikawa, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay were locked in as qualifiers last Sunday night as the top six. Those next in line vying for the last six positions decided by Stricker next Wednesday include Tony Finau, Xander Schauffele, Jordan Spieth, Harris English, Patrick Reed, Daniel Berger, Webb Simpson, Scottie Scheffler, Jason Kokrak, Sam Burns, Billy Horschel and Kevin Kisner. While it is Mickelson’s first foray into the captaincy squad, Couples has experience having been a Ryder Cup Vice Captain in 2012 alongside Love III. Couples was a victorious U.S. Team Presidents Cup captain in 2009, 2011 and 2013 and a captain’s assistant in 2015, 2017 and 2019. Couples also played in the 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995 and 1997 Ryder Cups.

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DUBLIN, Ohio — Collin Morikawa had another favorable result at Muirfield Village on a golf course that looked and sounded a lot different from when he won last year. RELATED: Leaderboard | Rickie Fowler turns to prescription sunglasses for help on the course Morikawa felt good vibes from an old putter and posted a 6-under 66 in rain-softened conditions Thursday morning at the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide. That gave him a one-shot lead over Adam Long among early starters, with Xander Schauffele in the group two shots behind. The weather was bad enough that the first round was suspended twice, with only half the field finishing the round. For Morikawa, the name of the tournament is different, too. He won a playoff at Muirfield Village last year in the Workday Charity Open, a one-time event to replace the pandemic-canceled John Deere Classic. But there’s a comfort level at the course Jack Nicklaus built, no matter how much it has been renovated and reshaped. And it was noisy Thursday as the tournament has let at least 25 percent capacity of fans on the course. Jon Rahm is the defending champion at the Memorial and faced a far stronger test. Nicklaus knew he was going to be redoing the fairways and greens, so he let them go for the Memorial and conditions were as tough as a U.S. Open. Rahm did OK in the soft conditions with a 69, tied with Open Championship winner Shane Lowry, Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler, who needs a runner-up finish to move into the top 60 in the world ranking and avoid U.S. Open qualifying on Monday. Jordan Spieth, Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy didn’t make it past a couple of holes before the weather stopped everything. They were to return Friday morning to finish the first round, and then right back out for the second round. The forecast was better for the rest of the week, and darkness doesn’t set in until about 9 p.m. What made Schauffele’s round interesting is that he used the arm-lock method to putt. It’s a putter he’s only had for about a week. He’s among the best statistically putting. And he thinks the putting style should be banned. Kuchar, meanwhile, withdrew when he was 9 over after 14 holes for what the PGA TOUR described as a left forearm injury.

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Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka were all smiles with each other after they both contributed to a dominant U.S. victory in the Ryder Cup.

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