Mickelson calls Ryder Cup defeat 'low' of career

[October 31, 2012]  SHENZHEN, China (AP) -- Phil Mickelson has spent the past month trying to get over the Americans' shocking defeat in the Ryder Cup, calling it "one of the biggest lows of my career."

Playing for the first time since the Ryder Cup in the HSBC Champions starting Thursday at Mission Hills, Mickelson says it will take him awhile longer to forget what happened in Medinah.

"I think the first two weeks following the Ryder Cup was a really tough low, one of the biggest lows of my career," he says. "It was one of the biggest disappointments that I've had to deal with.

"That disappointment will last a lot longer than a month. I still feel disappointment from it. I still feel that over the next two years, we'll still have the same disappointment from not winning this year's Ryder Cup."

Mickelson lost to Justin Rose in the turning point of the competition on the last day, as the U.S. blew a six-point lead and lost by one.

Tired of Europe's ongoing celebrating, Keegan Bradley, whose exceptional play in the Ryder Cup was the one bright spot for the Americans, thinks a victory for one of his countrymen this weekend would be a big morale boost.

"I saw some guys in the airport yesterday and it made me happy just to see the guys," he said. "I think it would be great -- a win here anytime is amazing, and I think that it would help all of the Americans and especially myself."

Mickelson is also trying to look on the bright side -- his partnership with Bradley at the Ryder Cup has at least given him new motivation to work on his game.

"I had a great couple of days playing with Keegan as a partner," he said. "And I saw some things where I can improve my game and I have this new kind of excitement and energy that Keegan has, and it's rubbed off on me and I am excited to play and work and practice."

[Associated Press; By JUSTIN BERGMAN]

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