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Ryder Cup 2016: Do not pair me with Phil Mickleson, pleads Team USA teammate Dustin Johnson

The 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltime begins on Friday, September 30 

Jack Austin
Thursday 22 September 2016 15:40 BST
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Dustin Johnson has sent out a public plea to America’s Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III for him not to be paired with teammate Phil Mickelson.

The reigning US Open winner made the comments the ahead of the start of the Ryder Cup next week at Hazeltine Golf Club in Minnesota.

However, Johnson comments were not supposed to be intended to start a rift in the camp as the US team attempt to wrestle the Ryder Cup back from Europe for the first time since 2008.

The world number two insists he is good friends with Mickelson but lost the only time the pair played alongside each other, at the 2010 Ryder Cup at the Celtic Manor in Wales.

They were paired for the opening day foursomes and fourballs and lost 3&2 in both and Johnson insists the duo play better against each other, rather than together.

“I think I can partner pretty well with pretty much anyone, except for Phil,” Johnson said on the eve of the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta.

(Getty Images

“Me and Phil don’t partner well together. We play well against each other.

“I love Phil and we’re great friends but we have a lot more fun when we’re playing against each other than when we’re partners.”

America have only won the Ryder Cup once this century, when Paul Azinger captained them to victory at Valhalla in 2008, with Europe winning the other six.

The last time the match was played in the United States, the home side crumbled as Europe came from four points behind on the final day to win 14½-13½ in what is dubbed the ‘Miracle at Medinah’.

The 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltime begins on Friday, September 30 until Sunday, October 2.

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