Phil Mickelson Must Repeat 2012 Magic at Ryder Cup to Give Team USA a Chance

Team USA entered the final day of the 2012 Ryder Cup with a surprise lead over the Europeans. It was no secret that Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley led the way to that shocking advantage. 

As Mickelson leads a 12-man unit looking to end the Americans' Ryder Cup woes—for real this time—over the weekend, more of the same will be needed if Team USA wants to be in contention entering Sunday.

Not even regarded as one of their stronger pairings entering Medinah in 2012, Mickelson and Bradley tore apart their European foes in the tournament's foursome competitions. They went a perfect 3-0 and could have made it four in a row had they not bowed out of the Saturday afternoon foursomes for rest.

Of course, the rest is history. The Americans couldn't hold onto a 10-6 lead that they brought into the final day. Mickelson and Bradley both lost their final-day singles matches that led to Team Europe's stunning comeback victory.

Mickelson, Bradley and the rest of the Americans have had two years to relive that moment and dissect what went wrong. Now, it's time to put to the test their preparation with Friday's foursomes just around the corner.

And fittingly after the 2012 performance they posted, the dynamic duo will go up against Team Europe's No. 1 team—so to speak. Ryder Cup Team USA notes:

The advantages Team USA boasts against this stacked European team are few and far between. Instead of giving its best pairing the best chance to win, captain Tom Watson is going right at Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia by unleashing his top dogs. 

The Northern Irish star tore through the year's final two majors, and he's been practically unbeatable for any American not named Billy Horschel or Chris Kirk.

Well, those two FedEx Cup standouts weren't a part of the captain's picks. Bradley was.

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

The 28-year-old's magnificent stretch in the 2012 event obviously played a huge role in his inclusion, because it certainly wasn't his recent play. He has missed four cuts since the Masters, and recent performances at The Barclays (tied for 53rd) and the PGA Championship (missed cut) don't bode well for his form.

While many Americans will have expectations, it's far from safe to assume Bradley is going to turn things around in the snap of a finger. That's all the more reason why Mickelson must bring his best, and he'll aim to make the most of his experience as ESPN Stats and Information noted:

Bradley will certainly be leaning on his experienced partner to help pull him up, but it works both ways, according to Bradley's comments to OmniSport via Sporting News:

"

This was his idea before Medinah. He came to me and said: 'We're going to play together and we're going to win.'

I was only in my second year on tour. We just match up well. I let him talk, decide things and we just seem to match up.

If I hit a bad shot, he can chip it or pitch it. He's going to get it up and down. I'm so pumped I've got such a good partner.

"

KPMG Mickelson also observed his career success at one of golf's biggest events:

This American team certainly has glimpses of promise and massive potential, with newcomers like Jordan Spieth, Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler coming off big seasons. But along with that promise comes inevitable concern—the fear that a more-experienced Team Europe will take them to the woodshed. 

As much as Team USA wants to make up for what happened in Medinah, many of these same European players remember the catastrophic start they had and will certainly want to do some making up of their own.

But in order for McIlroy and Garcia to do so, they'll have to top a group that they couldn't two years ago as Andrew Cotter explains:

There are opportunities galore for Team USA, but few American golf diehards truly know what they're getting with this group. A lack of experience could bring out the best for golfers like Fowler and Spieth considering their play during majors, but it could also prove too big of a stage.

One thing is certain, however—the stage won't be too big for Phil Mickelson. 

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Time and time again, Lefty has turned around serious problems with his game and emerged with his best golf. No active golfer has battled through more adversity and succeeded as much amid it.

If—or when—Mickelson holes one of his signature chip-ins or makes a shocking putt, it will invigorate a squad that certainly needs all the inspiration it can muster.

The only chance Team USA has at pulling off the upset is to take the early momentum convincingly just as it did two years ago. It's hard to envision that happening without the pairing of Mickelson and Bradley leading the way.

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