PHIL MICKELSON has said he has spent the past month trying to get over the USA’s shocking defeat by Europe in the Ryder Cup at Medinah in September, which he said was “one of the biggest lows of my career”.

As he prepared to play for the first time since the Ryder Cup, in the HSBC Champions which starts today at Mission Hills, the world number 19 said it would likely take him far longer to forget what happened at Medinah.

“I think the first two weeks following the Ryder Cup was a really tough low, one of the biggest lows of my career,” he says. “It was one of the biggest disappointments that I’ve had to deal with. That disappointment will last a lot longer than a month. I still feel disappointment from it. I still feel that over the next two years, we’ll still have the same disappointment from not winning this year’s Ryder Cup.”

Mickelson lost to Justin Rose in the turning point of the competition on the last day, as the US blew a six-point lead and lost by one.

Keegan Bradley, whose exceptional play in the Ryder Cup was a bright spot for the Americans, said a victory for one of his countrymen in China this weekend would provide a morale boost.

“I saw some guys in the airport yesterday and it made me happy just to see the guys,” he said. “I think it would be great – a win here anytime is amazing, and I think that it would help all of the Americans and especially myself.”

Mickelson was also trying to look on the bright side of the Ryder Cup experience, saying that the success of his partnership with Bradley there had at least given him new motivation to work on his game.

“I had a great couple of days playing with Keegan as a partner. And I saw some things where I can improve my game and I have this new kind of excitement and energy that Keegan has, and it’s rubbed off on me and I am excited to play and work and practice.”

Ten of Europe’s Ryder Cup side are present including Sergio Garcia who has recovered from a recent eye operation.