• Ryder Cup

Mickelson expects Woods to partner Stricker

ESPN staff
September 29, 2010
Tiger Woods has been with Steve Stricker in practice © PA Photos
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Phil Mickelson has issued the strongest hint yet that Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker are set to be partners at the Ryder Cup by insisting that he would be "very surprised" to see them split up.

Woods and Stricker, who had a 100% record together at the Presidents Cup in 2009, have teamed up during practice at Celtic Manor.

"It's no secret, everybody seems to know that that's a combination that works well and I would be surprised to see them split up," Mickelson said.

Mickelson also moved to downplay rumours of a feud between Woods and Rory McIlroy after the Ulsterman declared that any member of the European team would "fancy their chances" against the world No. 1.

"He's just like any other player who wants to take on the best," Mickelson said. "They get along great, Rory's the nicest guy you can imagine and Tiger gets along with just about everybody - usually he beats them, [and] he's nice when he beats them."

Mickelson, like Woods, has struggled to capture his best form at the Ryder Cup - he has won nine of 25 matches - and he admits that he feels America are the underdogs. "This is my eighth Ryder Cup and I'm yet to win in Europe," he said. "The US side would really cherish it if we were able to pull off the upset."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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