Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Other Prominent Names Missing From the 2023 Ryder Cup

The famous proverb “The idea of waiting for something makes it more exciting” aptly fits the upcoming 2023 Ryder Cup. As the wait for the biennial tournament shrinks slowly, all eyes are set on the minute details of the event. From the golf kits and outfits to the pairings and records, each feature has beguiled the enthusiasts of the game.

Not just that, the famous players who won’t be seen this year in action have also been part of the discussion. Let us look at some of the greatest players, including Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, who have been the part of the Ryder Cup in the past and will be missed this year by their fans.

1- Tiger Woods — Golf’s megastar

Anyone can hardly deny the fact that Tiger Woods is the name of a legacy. In fact, a statement from Bleacher Report suggests that “sports fans” generally watch the game because of the 15-time major winner, and not because they are golf fans in particular. Hence, it is inevitable not to miss the golfer at the 2023 Ryder Cup.

While Woods has been out of action since his appearance at the 2023 Masters Tournament, fans all across the golf domain have been anticipating the professional’s return. The American captain Zach Johnson has mentioned how the PGA tour legend would not be present in Rome this week to guide the team through his vast experience.

The record of the 11-time PGA Tour Player of the Awardee in the Ryder Cup is worth looking at. The golfer played has 37 games and has an overall record of 13-21-3. And while the golf star hasn’t been part of this coveted trophy since 2018, fans tend to forget that fact and continue missing him. Who can blame them?!

He helped the US team last time around through his words of wisdom. The legendary golfer also put on the shoes of an assistant captain in 2016 at Hazeltine.

2- Sergio Garcia — Best of the best

Sergio Garcia has his name etched in the Ryder Cup record books. The golfer not only has made 10 appearances in the said tournament for his team but also holds the prestigious record of being the leading man in the Ryder Cup in terms of scoring, having won 28.5 points since his entry to the event.

Though, the Spaniard, for the first time since his debut in 1999 will be missing from the biennial event. Garcia played a dominant role at Whistling Straits in 2021, alongside his fellow Spanish star Jon Rahm.

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The 43-year-old’s scores in foursomes stand at 13.5 which is also a record. Despite boasting a 25-13-7 record in his 24-year-long experience, Garcia failed to make this year’s squad largely on account of his LIV connection.

3- Phil Mickelson — The Veteran Powerhouse

Phil Mickelson, undoubtedly, is one of the most successful players in the Ryder Cup. He has been a part of the tournament 12 times. He has an overall record of 18-22-7, including 5-8-4 in foursomes and 8-8-2 in four-balls.

With the highest number of Ryder Cup matches (47) in his bag, Lefty was an almost inevitable name for the US Team captain position, per former team members. Even the US team captain Zach Johnson has mentioned, “Yeah, strange not to have him [Phil Mickelson] involved.” 

Per the reports, the captain believed that the veteran golfer had been generous as he congratulated Johnson on his captaincy.

4-Bryson DeChambeau — Mr. 58

Bryson DeChambeau has an experience of 2 appearances at the event, missing out on the third successive turn. While his first year at the biennial event had seen him taste three defeats in three chances in France, he made a strong comeback on returning to the event at Whistling Straits, gaining 2 wins and a tie from his matches.

Yet, despite his experience and good show this year — two Top-10 finishes in four Majors along with a final-round 58 in his Greenbrier victory, DeChambeau failed to win the favor of Johnson. The golfer had expressed his thorough interest in participating in the event, stating, “I would love to represent my country, there’s no doubt about that. I feel like I am a Top-10 player for sure right now.”

5- Dustin Johnson — The Hero of Whistling Straits

Dustin Johnson, in a recent interview with the Palm Beach Post, admitted his poor form in the 2023 season. Despite this, DJ believed that he deserved a spot among the six picks.

Arguing further, the sports star said that his “well-enough” game on the LIV greens should have been taken into consideration. His Ryder Cup credentials should have been taken into consideration too.

Last time around at Whistling Straits, he became the first American to go 5-0 in a single Ryder Cup event in more than 4 decades. A record that helped the team to a powerful victory of 19-9.

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What do you think of this list? Who else do you think should have been added to the list? Let us know in the comments.