Mickelson apologizes for calling out Sutton: 'I was totally in the wrong'

Phil Mickelson, paraphrased: My bad.

"Lefty" walked back from his critical comments about former U.S. Ryder Cup captain Hal Sutton on Wednesday night, after he said Sutton put the 2004 team in a position to fail, which it did "monumentally," in Mickelson's words.

Related: Sutton 'amused' by Mickelson's comments about 2004 Ryder Cup

"I was totally in the wrong," Mickelson told Sam Weinman from Golf Digest. "I never should have brought that up. I used an extreme example the way decision can affect play, and I never should have done that because it affected Hal."

Mickelson was in touch with Sutton, after he learned Sutton said he was "amused" Mickelson was talking about a tournament from so long ago two days before the 2016 installment.

"I've communicated with (Sutton)," Mickelson said. "I feel awful. It was never meant to be like that, I was trying to use an example of how a captain can have a strong affect. Unfortunately it came across the way it did. I feel awful and I want him to be out here and be a part of this, so I've communicated with him that I'm sorry."