DATE IMPORTED:September 24, 2014U.S. Ryder Cup player Phil Mickelson watches his shot on the fifth hole during practice ahead of the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in Scotland September 24, 2014.
DATE IMPORTED:September 24, 2014U.S. Ryder Cup player Phil Mickelson watches his shot on the fifth hole during practice ahead of the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in Scotland September 24, 2014. REUTERS

Phil Mickelson is not one to hold his tongue. In fact, his remarks are what make locker rooms colourful. More often than not, his words induce laughter but in some cases, controversy.

Mickelson is front and center just days leading up to the Ryder Cup, a golf competition pitting the best of Europe and America in a team game. During a press conference promoting the event, he was questioned by media on whether U.S. players display better chemistry as opposed to the European counterparts. This is what he had to say:

"Well, not only are we able to play together, we also don't litigate against each other and that's a real plus, I feel, heading into this week," Michelson quipped per Golf.com.

While he did not mention names, critics inferred that it was a knock against the Euro team specifically to golf's best player -- Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irish golfer is currently involved in legal battle against Horizon Sports Management, his former representation and agent. Graeme McDowell, one of McIlroy's teammates on the team, has significant dealings with the rep company but it is believed that the target of the seething anger of the McIlroy is not McDowell but Conor Ridge. Nevertheless, the tension still runs high on the team due to the circumstances.

Mickelson thinks that this may be the opportune time to trash-talk the opponents and take them off their game. If you ask another legend, team U.S.A. captain Tom Watson, trash-talking is really one of the uniqueness of Mickelson.

"He talks smack ... he talks the way you're supposed to be talking in the locker room," said Watson on Wednesday morning. "He talks the locker room talk and he gets people talking back to him. That's what you have to do."

McIlroy has already responded to comments made by Mickelson and understands that the rest of the players are targeting him, being one of the best players in golf. He shrugged off all the smack talk and saying that he will be focused once the tournament starts.