Kevin Kisner recently shared an incredible story about his Presidents Cup debut in 2017, revealing a moment with Phil Mickelson that left him completely stunned. As a six-time major champion, Mickelson had played in every Presidents Cup since the event's inception, making him the ultimate veteran. Kisner, on the other hand, was a rookie, making his first appearance in a team competition for the USA. So when captain Steve Stricker paired them together for the opening session at Liberty National in New York, it seemed like the perfect blend of experience and fresh energy.

But the pressure was on. Kisner had to hit the first tee shot of their match against Jason Day and Marc Leishman. The conditions were brutal—30 mph winds, a downhill lie, water left, and out-of-bounds right. It was alternate shot format, so Kisner was teeing off alone, nerves at an all-time high. "The most nervous I ever was," he admitted on the We Need A Fourth podcast. "I turned around to look for Phil for words of assurance. 'Hey man, I need some help.' And I look up and he's in the stands with Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush taking selfies."

While Kisner was fighting the urge to panic, Mickelson was mingling with three former U.S. presidents. "I told my caddie, 'dude, we're on two different wavelengths right here. I don't know how I'm physically going to do this and he's there partying with the Presidents,'" Kisner recalled. Somehow, he managed to swing, not even remembering the contact. "I looked up and the ball's going straight down the middle. And I said, 'dear lord, how did I do that?'"

Mickelson didn't even catch up until 50 yards off the tee, casually putting an arm around Kisner and asking, "How did we do, partner?" Kisner was in disbelief: "You weren't even watching? I'm over here dying." Mickelson's response? "It doesn't matter, we'll get them. It doesn't matter if we lose." That carefree confidence—partying with presidents while his rookie partner faced the shot of his life—perfectly captures the legendary Phil Mickelson persona. For fans of the game, it's a reminder that even in the most intense moments, golf's greatest characters bring a little fun to the fairway.