• European Tour

Mickelson still reeling from Ryder Cup loss

ESPN staff
October 30, 2012
Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley struck up a brilliant partnership © Getty Images
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Phil Mickelson returns to action at the WGC HSBC Champions but it could be a long time before the American shakes off the effects of USA's Ryder Cup defeat.

Mickelson was a huge success story for USA, as he struck up a fabulous partnership with Keegan Bradley, but Europe's stunning rally in the singles ensured the Ryder Cup remained with Jose Maria Olazabal and his team.

The American has not been on a course since the shock loss at Medinah and it would appear Mickelson has had a tough time in recent weeks.

"I think the first two weeks following the Ryder Cup was a really tough low, one of the biggest lows of my career," Mickelson said ahead of the event at Mission Hills in China. "It was a very emotional time because we really thought we were going to win. We expected to win; we were playing well and we thought that we were going to do it on Sunday.

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

Mickelson is looking to take the positives, notably from the partnership he struck with Bradley.

"Looking back, there was some good that came from it in that I had a great couple of days playing with Keegan as a partner," he added.

"I have this new kind of excitement and energy that Keegan has and I'm excited about working on my own game and seeing what areas I can improve on from the Ryder Cup."

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