Mickelson, Harrington defer on leadership roles

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Call them the reluctant leaders of this Ryder Cup.

For the Americans, Phil Mickelson. For the Europeans, Padraig Harrington.

Both are three-time major champions — heck, Harrington has won the last two, his victories in the British Open and PGA Championship making him the hottest player on the planet, at least until Tiger Woods recovers from knee surgery.

Just don't look for either of these guys to provide stirring words or wear their emotions on their sleeves at Valhalla Golf Club.

"Hopefully I'll lead by example this week and by approaching the game the right way," Harrington said. "Not allowing myself to get too high or too low in the course of matches."

"Win one for the Gipper," that's not.

On an American team that has six rookies but no Woods, Mickelson would seem the logical candidate to carry the red, white and blue load into golf's grandest team event.

But Lefty took a pass on any sort of leadership role. Instead, he deferred to U.S. captain Paul Azinger, who won't swing the club at all this weekend.

"My only responsibility is to play well," Mickelson said. "I think Captain Azinger has been a wonderful leader for us. He's been a great captain and given us great direction."

Where's Monty when you need him?

Colin Montgomerie was the type of guy who thrived in this format, for reasons that still seem a bit fuzzy. The shots that befuddled him in his fruitless pursuit of a major title always seemed to go right when the Ryder Cup was on the line. Teammates that found him persnickety and pompous in the week-to-week grind of tournament play rallied around him when they were all working toward the same goal.

But Montgomerie wasn't chosen for this European team, which leaves Sergio Garcia as the most likely emotional leader for the defending champs.

That's just fine with Harrington.

"I don't get the highs and lows that maybe other guys get," he said. "I tend to keep it nice and solid and consistent."

Harrington's Ryder Cup record is rather unimpressive — seven wins, eight losses and two ties — but he did come through big time for the Europeans in 2004. Paired with Montgomerie in the first match at Oakland Hills, they took on the American dream team of Woods and Mickelson.