Phil Mickelson rules himself out of epic Rory McIlroy showdown next year

Mickelson was touted to become the USA Ryder Cup captain at Bethpage but has ruled himself out.

Phil Mickelson has ruled himself out of captaincy for the 2025 Ryder Cup, with the golfing legend long touted to take the role.

Mickelson currently plays his golf with the Saudi-backed LIV Tour but endured a tough break up with the PGA Tour and some of its members, including Rory McIlroy.

The pair have clashed both publicly and traded blows in press conferences and over social media with no love lost between the two.

And McIlroy recently sent a warning shot to Team USA that Europe would be coming for the trophy at Bethpage next year.

But Mickelson, who was long assumed to be the captain at the raucous venue, has now said he would not take the role.

Appearing on the Pat McAfee show, Mickelson said: "I'm a very divisive character right now, if you will, and I understand that. The players on the PGA Tour, there's a lot of hostilities towards me, and I don't feel I'd be the best leader for them.

"I knew I was going to take some hits going forward, and I'm OK with that. And as a divisive individual, I don't think I'm the best unifier going forward for the Ryder Cup, and that's fine because I've had so many great memories with it."

Europe last won the Ryder Cup on foreign soil since the Miracle at Medinah back in 2012 while Team USA have not won a visiting Ryder Cup since the Belfry in 1993 while Luke Donald will return as captain after guiding Europe to victory in Rome.

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