Shell-shocked Phil Mickelson had little explanation for his miserable opening day Ryder Cup form on Friday after he partnered Tiger Woods to two defeats against Europe.
Mickelson and Woods had been considered virtually unbeatable by U.S. captain Hal Sutton, but instead they crashed to a 2 & 1 fourball defeat by Colin Montgomerie and Padraig Harrington and a one-hole foursomes beating by Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood.
Woods exited the Oakland Hills course after the home side trailed 6 1/2-1 1/2 points overnight without speaking to reporters but U.S. Masters champion Mickelson tried to make sense of two shock defeats.
"We fought hard but I didn't play particularly well but made some good putts," the world number four told reporters.
"I let it slide on 18 (in the second defeat) with a poor tee shot after we'd pulled even and it basically cost us the match.
"So it's been a very disappointing day for me. I've played and fought hard but have been coming up short and not playing the way I would like to."
He declined to answer any further questions.
One of the States' most experienced Ryder Cup players after making his debut in 1995, Mickelson paid for his dramatic loss of form by being dropped for the Saturday morning fourballs.
Instead world number two Woods will team up with rookie Chris Riley.
Mickelson, who played in every match in the 2002 defeat for the U.S. at the Belfry, was one of only two in the U.S. team before this year's match with more wins than losses (8-5) in the Ryder Cup. David Toms was the other.
Many observers felt that Mickelson's decision to switch driver brands two weeks before the Ryder Cup was at the root of his wayward play.
They included European player Thomas Levet.
"Never change your driver before a big tournament," he said. "It is not a good thing."
American skipper Hal Sutton added: "I wouldn't have done it but I'm not Phil Mickelson and I'm not in his shoes.
"But you know what? Phil Mickelson is capable of playing with anything."
