United States Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk has praised the influence in the team room of Phil Mickelson - the man who criticised 2014 captain Tom Watson after defeat at Gleneagles.
Four years ago the left-hander, sitting just a couple of seats away from Watson in the post-tournament press conference, delivered a withering criticism of the veteran's management skills.
He complained none of the players had been consulted about any of the decision-making in relation to who paired with whom and there was no clear game-plan.
His critique ultimately led to a change in the USA's Ryder Cup selection process, in terms of captains and players.
As Mickelson prepares to make his 12th Ryder Cup appearance Furyk hailed the contribution of his fellow 48-year-old, who arrived in France in poor form, and also that of one-time lone wolf Tiger Woods.
"It definitely doesn't hurt," he replied when asked what effect having the pair - both captain's picks - in the team meant.
"Both Phil and Tiger have been really involved in our team atmosphere and have been huge leaders in our team room.
"Tiger doing it as a vice-captain the last couple years but as a player before, and Phil hasn't missed a team event in, whatever it's been, 25 years.
"Both of them have helped the younger players significantly and they've always been guys we captains have relied on in the past, players have relied on."
Mickelson may not be in the best form coming into this week, not managing a top-10 finish since June, but Furyk believes that will not matter now he is in the team environment.
"He's got so much experience. He hasn't missed a team since maybe '95, where he's been on every Ryder Cup team, every Presidents Cup team.
"He's seen the inner workings of the team room, the captains.
"You know he's always trying to find a way to poke fun, trying to mess with someone. He's telling a story: sometimes you're not sure if they are true or not but he provides some humour; I think provides some levity.
"Also, I think at the right times, he understands when a team needs a kick in the butt or they need an arm around their shoulder, and he's been good in that atmosphere.
"He's a good speaker and good motivator, and he's been able to take some young players under his wing at times and really get a lot out of them from a partner standpoint.
"He's just a valuable guy to have in the team room, and as a captain having a player like him is like adding a vice-captain to your staff."
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