• Ryder Cup

Burn! Mickelson takes aim at McIlroy-McDowell row

Phil Mickelson was all smiles on the course on Thursday - and couldn't resist a cheeky pop at the European team © Getty Images

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There are few in golf that can give the needle like Phil Mickelson, and Lefty delivered on Wednesday at Gleneagles.

Asked about the perceived lack of chemistry due to infrequent victories for the United States in the Ryder Cup, the five-time major champion had a ready retort.

"Well, not only are we able to play together, we also don't litigate against each other, and that's a real plus, I feel, heading into this week," Mickelson quipped.

McIlroy a target? 'Bring it on!'

Rory McIlroy is not bothered about being the US team's No.1 target © Getty Images

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Mickelson said it with a smile, and was clearly joking, but the comment hits home.

A good bit of the pre-Ryder Cup buildup has centred on the possible pairing of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell, long-time friends who have admitted their relationship has been strained by an ongoing lawsuit that involves both players.

McIlroy has sued Horizon - his former management team that still represents McDowell. Part of the claim involves the commission structure and the belief that McDowell got a better deal than McIlroy.

Both players said it would not be an issue here when the 40th Ryder Cup begins on Friday.

"I couldn't resist," Mickelson said. "Sorry, go ahead."

This is the 10th consecutive Ryder Cup dating to 1995 for Mickelson, who has never failed to make the team on points. But along with that comes the record: 14-18-6.

The 18 defeats - the last of which was an excruciating one-up singles loss to Justin Rose at Medinah in 2012 - is the most in US Ryder Cup history.

When a reporter from Scotland asked about his Ryder Cup record being a "blot" on an otherwise Hall of Fame career, Mickelson said: "I wouldn't say it as eloquently as you did by calling it a blot, but I think that it's a record I'd like to improve on."

A follow-up question didn't faze Mickelson.

"Are you always this half-empty?" he said. "Is that how you look at things? Because we're more optimistic here.

He added: "Absolutely I would like to improve my record. That's certainly a goal. It doesn't take much improve my winning percentage, I'll say that.

"But I've got a partner, obviously I'm going to play again with Keegan [Bradley]. I don't think I'm letting go any secrets there."

Mickelson and Bradley were 3-0 together at Medinah and also were 2-1-1 together last year at the Presidents Cup.

Bradley was one of Tom Watson's captain's picks and was clearly chosen to partner with Mickelson, who is coming off his worst season in more than 10 years - no victories and just one top-10 on the PGA Tour.

"Man, he is playing so good," Bradley said of their practice rounds. "He's rolling it (putting) better. I'm so pumped. I've got such a good partner. He's playing really well. He's clearly been working back and home on the range and putting and playing. And he's playing great and he's motivated to win this Ryder Cup."

Although plenty can change prior to Friday, the possible US pairings became more clear.

Mickelson and Bradley are a virtual certainty as are Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson. The others that have emerged: Jim Furyk and Patrick Reed; Rickie Fower and Jimmie Walker; Zach Johnson and Hunter Mahan; and Matt Kuchar and Jordan Spieth.

The competition begins with four four-ball (best ball) matches on Friday morning, followed by foursomes (alternate shot) in the afternoon.

Bob Harig is a senior golf writer for ESPN.com. Follow him on Twitter: @BobHarig

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