Phil Mickelson asked to play in Ryder Cup Saturday, Tom Watson said no

Entering the final day of Ryder Cup competition on Sunday, it is looking grim for the United States. Down 10-6, the U.S. team must somehow find a way to pull off a dramatic comeback like the Europe team managed in the last Ryder Cup in 2012.

More from Golf

Phil Mickelson has long been a fixture in the event, but his struggles this year made him a question mark for U.S. captain Tom Watson. On the one hand, Watson would certainly love to have Mickelson in there as a veteran guy who has won on big stages countless times. On the other hand, it behooves any Ryder Cup captain to ride the hot hand.

After Mickelson and his partner Keegan Bradley lost their foursomes match 3 and 2 to Graeme McDowell and Victor Dubuisson on Friday, the man known as ‘Lefty’ simply was not one of the hot hands. Watson benched him, but not before Mickelson made his case that he should have been in there.

Bob Harig of ESPN.com reports the following:

"“I expected exactly what Phil said to me,” Watson said after the U.S. dropped 3 ½ of 4 points in the afternoon foursomes, or alternate shot, competition. “He said, ‘We can get it done, captain. We want the chance.’ I said, ‘Well, the way this golf course sets up, the four teams I put out there gives us the best chance.’“He lobbied again. He texted me, he said, ‘Give us a chance.’ I had to tell him no. I felt that we had the four best teams possible in the afternoon for alternate shot.”"

Mickelson will still have a chance to chip in with his singles match on Sunday. The U.S. team needs him to bring it, along with everybody else, or else Europe will win once again.

More on FanSided.com

Ryder Cup: Saturday afternoon pairings and predictions
Halved match keeps Europe in the lead
Americans win third match
American rookies dominate, win again
Ryder Cup Saturday preview