Ryder Cup: Mickelson's McIlroy dig was a well aimed barb
The 'gloves are off' after US veteran makes reference to European players' legal problems
US golfer Phil Mickelson "lit the fuse" ahead of this weekend's Ryder Cup as he aimed a sly dig at European rivals Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell, who are on opposite sides in a legal battle involving a Dublin-based sports management group.
World number one McIlroy is suing and is also being sued by his former management company, Horizon, and McDowell, who is still on the group's books, has been drawn into the dispute.
When asked about the often fragile unity of the US team, Mickelson could not resist bringing his opponents' legal woes into play.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Not only are we able to play together, we also don't litigate against each other and that's a real plus, I feel, heading into this week," he said.
The remark was light-hearted, but comes just a few weeks after McIlroy suggested that the 44-year-old veteran was near the end of his career, and in the febrile atmosphere that surrounds the build-up to the Ryder Cup it has been seized upon.
"Whatever Mickelson's intent, his remarks signalled the end of the pleasantries which characterised the first few days of practice. The golf gloves are now off," declares James Corrigan in the Daily Telegraph.
"McIlroy may not appreciate the jab, regardless of how playful it was, and it will be intriguing to hear the reaction of him, McDowell and indeed their captain, Paul McGinley."
If they wanted to make something of it they could, adds Corrigan, who aims a barb of his own on behalf of McIlroy and co. "The Europe team could surely query if a man who was approached by two FBI agents after a round at the Memorial in May to be questioned in connection with an insider-trading investigation should really be making gags about litigation."
Mickelson's comment was the "first jibe" of a week "characterised thus far by cagey mutual respect", says Owen Gibson in The Guardian.
It may have been a throwaway line, but Mickelson would have been aware of the significance, says Andy Bull, also in the Guardian.
"It was a joke but also a juicy line to toss to a room full of hungry journalists. He knew exactly what he was doing. If the ensuing headlines needle some of the egos on the other side, then that could be all the better for Mickelson and his team-mates."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Winchcombe meteorite: space rock may reveal how water came to Earth
The Explainer New analysis of its violent journey confirms scientific theories on the origin of our planet's H2O
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Liz Truss to save the West: is a political comeback really on the cards?
Talking Point The former prime minister is back with a new tell-all memoir
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
PGA Tour Championship: Rory McIlroy’s ‘comeback of comebacks’ in Atlanta
feature Northern Irishman’s exploits are overshadowed by golf’s civil war
By The Week Staff Published
-
LIV’s Henrik Stenson power play leaves Ryder Cup ‘in tatters’
Under the Radar Team Europe are now searching for a new captain after Swede’s sacking
By Mike Starling Published
-
Saudi-backed LIV golf series: ‘a controversial threat’ to the sport
Talking Point Multimillion-dollar rebel event tees off as stars quit established tours
By The Week Staff Published
-
Phil Mickelson: the downfall of America’s ‘apple pie’ golf champion
Why Everyone’s Talking About Six-time major winner has suffered a ‘spectacular decline in popularity’
By The Week Staff Published
-
‘Rory McIlroy showed what the Ryder Cup really means’
feature It was an emotional week for the Northern Irishman as Europe lost heavily to the USA
By The Week Staff Published
-
‘Rory McIlroy showed what the Ryder Cup really means’
feature It was an emotional week for the Northern Irishman as Europe lost heavily to the USA
By The Week Staff Published
-
2021 Ryder Cup: players, tee times, format, scoring, UK TV coverage
In Depth Golf’s match-play event takes place at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Rory McIlroy on Tiger Woods: ‘everyone should be grateful that he’s alive’
Why Everyone’s Talking About American golf icon is awake and responsive after surgery in California
By Mike Starling Published