Phil Mickelson calls for return of Paul Azinger, or least his Pod system

Phil Mickelson knows the right man for the job of 2016 U.S. Ryder Cup captain: the man who led the American charge in 2008.

Shortly after the Europeans clinched a third-consecutive Ryder Cup on Sunday at Gleneagles, Mickelson suggested Paul Azinger should get another crack at the job.

“We had a great formula in ’08,” Mickelson said on NBC’s coverage. “I don’t know why we strayed. I don’t know why we don’t go back. What Zinger did was great.”

Azinger guided the American team to a 16.5-11.5 win over captain Nick Faldo and the Europeans six years ago at Valhalla in Kentucky. He employed what he called a Pod system, creating three groups of four players based on personality types that bonded, practiced and played together throughout the matches.

Whether or not Mickelson carries any weight with PGA of America leadership is unclear, but as an almost-certain future captain and five-time major champion, it would seem his words matter.

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

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