Bryson DeChambeau recalls Phil Mickelson’s shocking request at 2018 Ryder Cup

Many fans will remember DeChambeau’s solid play alongside Scottie Scheffler at Whistling Straits in 2021, but his first experience at the Ryder Cup in 2018 did not go nearly as well.

Paired with Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods in the foursomes at Le Golf National, the California native found himself in a tough spot.

That week, the alternate shot format did not suit Mickelson, and Woods, having just won the Tour Championship, was visibly fatigued after playing his third match of the event.

Despite that, DeChambeau looked back on his debut with some positive memories when speaking on the Ryder Cup YouTube channel, even recalling an unusual moment during his match with Mickelson.

“From my first one, Tiger telling me to hit the first tee shot at Le Golf National. I didn’t know what to do or think, I was very much thrown in the fire. Playing with Tiger was very nerve-racking for me. He’s an intimidating guy, I love the guy, and he’s amazing. But it was wild to see how everybody reacted and treated us with us being overseas. My biggest memory was playing with Tiger on the first tee.

“Another one was Phil Mickelson, he wasn’t playing that great then and he goes, ‘Bryson, I just need a pep talk right now, you need to give me a pep talk’. As a veteran, the second-most winning golfer in our era. For me to give him a pep talk down the third fairway, I was like, ‘this is so wrong’, the roles have been reversed. What’s going on?”

Bryson DeChambeau’s Ryder Cup record ahead of his third appearance

In the 2018 Ryder Cup, DeChambeau, Mickelson, and Woods were the only players across both teams to lose all their matches. The Crushers captain, for instance, was defeated by Alex Noren in the Sunday singles.

On the other hand, his performance at the 2021 Ryder Cup was a marked improvement from his debut three years earlier.

Playing alongside rookie Scottie Scheffler, DeChambeau went unbeaten in two matches. It was around this time that his popularity began to grow significantly.

This year, playing in front of home fans at Bethpage Black, there is every reason to think he will be just as popular as he was in Wisconsin.

A strong showing from DeChambeau could make it tough for Europe to slow down any early momentum from the US side.