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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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Energized Mickelson turning things around

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Branden Grace (+6600) … Six of the last seven Open champions won at least once on the PGA TOUR or European Tour previously in the same calendar year. The 33-year-old from South Africa prevailed in Puerto Rico on the last day of February, so he’s on the short list of the trendy, but he’s since added a solo fourth at Memorial and a T7 at the U.S. Open to fulfill the box asking for inspiring form upon arrival. He’s also a sturdy 8-for-9 in The Open Championship with a T6 at Royal Birkdale in 2016, and he’s recorded a pair of top fives each in the PGA Championship and U.S. Open, so he’s comfortable on this stage. Robert MacIntyre (+6600) … One of the most consistent performers in the field is just 24 years of age. In the last 22 months, he’s missed only two cuts and withdrew during another start amid 11 top 10s, including his breakthrough victory on the European Tour last November. Stretch back a full two years and you’ll find a T6 at The Open Championship in what was his debut in any major. Currently ninth on his circuit in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee, 20th in greens in regulation and second in scrambling. The compelling lefty also is fresh off a T18 in a home game at the Scottish Open. Andy Sullivan (+20000) … The former Ryder Cupper (2016) from the West Midlands of England is making his sixth consecutive appearance in The Open. He’s made three cuts with a personal-best T12 at Royal Troon in 2016. Since the European Tour reopened for business about a year ago, he’s rekindled the kind of form that elevated him to a career-best 28th in the Official World Golf Ranking early in 2016 and following a magical 2015 that included three victories. In the last two months alone, he’s recorded a pair of top-six finishes and a T12 in six starts. In his prime at 34 years of age. Yuki Inamori (+75000) … Calvin Peete never competed in The Open Championship, so his tee-to-green accuracy didn’t have a chance to shine on links courses that would have rewarded it. Inamori is chasing a Peete-like achievement that seems improbable on any circuit in the 21st century. Peete led the PGA TOUR in driving accuracy for 10 consecutive seasons (1981-1990). Since joining the Japan Golf Tour in 2015, Inamori has been No. 1 in fairways hit, so he’s working on his sixth straight season as the best. The 36-year-old also leads the JGTO in par-3 scoring and sits fifth in the Order of Merit after a season-best co-runner-up at the Japan PGA Championship, his third straight top-20 finish. He made the cut in his Open debut at Royal Portrush in 2019. Ryan Fox (+30000) … Even among avid fans, the 34-year-old Kiwi largely is recalled in the U.S. as a long, strong hitter, but he’s a European Tour winner and soon-to-be two-time Olympian. At eighth on the European Tour in distance off the tee and 40th in greens hit, this season’s analytics align with previous years. He also camps out in the second 100 of the Official World Golf Ranking (where he’s currently 185th) thanks in part to a trio of top-15 finishes in June. Also 3-for-4 at The Open with a T16 two years ago. Odds were sourced on Tuesday, July 13 at 5 a.m. ET. For live odds visit betmgm. NOTE: Sleeper is a relative term, so Rob uses unofficial criteria to determine who qualifies. Each of the following usually is determined to be ineligible for this weekly staple: Winners of the tournament on the current host course; winners in the same season; recent major champions; top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking; recent participants of team competitions.

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