CHASKA, Minnesota, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Phil Mickelson has apologised for sparking a verbal spat with former United States captain Hal Sutton at Hazeltine National over events that occurred during the 2004 Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills.
Mickelson on Wednesday criticised Sutton for his decision 12 years ago to pair the left-hander with Tiger Woods on two day's notice before the world's two top-ranked players went on to lose both matches they played against Europe.
Mickelson and Woods, put "in a position to fail", were beaten 2&1 by Colin Montgomerie and Padraig Harrington in the opening fourball matches at Oakland Hills before losing one down to Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood in the foursomes.