Mickelson tells Tiger to pick himself for Presidents Cup

Phil Mickelson has set himself the target of making the US Ryder Cup team AFP/TOM

Woods won his 15th major at The Masters and Gary Woodland won the US Open, but neither qualified automatically in the top eight points scorers for December's team matchplay showdown against Team International in Melbourne.

"I think those two players should be automatic picks," Mickelson firmly told AFP at the CJ Cup in Jeju, South Korea.

"I think if somebody else was the captain, 100 per cent they would pick Tiger.

"The only reason that it's a question is because it's weird to pick yourself, but he's ninth in the world, and he won the Masters. He should be on the team."

Mickelson has an unmatched record in team events, playing in 24 consecutive Ryder or Presidents Cups since 1994.

But the five-time major winner is resigned to missing out saying his form this year has not been good enough.

"I have not played well in the last seven, eight months," said the slimmed-down 49-year-old, who has embarked on a fitness and diet regime in an effort to get back to his best.

"Even if I were to win (this week), I have not done enough to warrant a pick. I'm not asking for one, I don't expect one."

Woods is returning from arthroscopic surgery at the inaugural Zozo Championship in Japan next week and his fitness will probably decide if he follows the advice of his long-standing rival.

SLIM MICKELSON

Mickelson by contrast is revelling in his new fitter body and has set himself the target of making the US Ryder Cup team next at Whistling Straights at the age of 50.

"Well, I'm starting to play some good golf and I fully expect to play to my level and make the Ryder Cup team next year," he said.

"But the players that are on the Presidents Cup team need to showcase consistency throughout the year.

"I have not played very consistent good golf at all this year. And there are a lot better, more deserving players that have earned their way on to the team."

A lithe-looking Mickelson would not reveal how much weight he has lost, but said he was already feeling the benefits.

"I've changed my eating habits. I eat much healthier, I eat a lot less," he revealed.

"I work out twice a day when I'm home and I believe that the weight loss and increased physical fitness will help me play better," said Mickelson.

"I wanted to feel better on the golf course, I wanted to be able to practise longer and I wanted to be able to recover faster.

"It helps me have more energy and more focus towards the end of the rounds. I'm optimistic and believe that I will start to play to the level that I know I'm able to."