Graeme McDowell: Celebrates victory against Jordan Spieth during the Ryder Cup

Graeme McDowell has hit out at Phil Mickelson claiming his spat with US Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson should not have been played out in public.

Mickelson, a veteran of 10 Ryder Cups, openly criticised the eight-time major winner on his captaincy and pairing selections while comparing him unfavourably to former skipper Paul Azinger.

There is an unwritten rule. You just don't call out your captain at a Ryder Cup. Win, lose or draw you just don't. Graeme McDowell

Azinger was in charge the last time the US won the trophy in 2008 and Mickelson believes the innovative strategy adopted at Valhalla should have been the template used by the States at Gleneagles.

But McDowell, who is defending his World Match Play Championship title at the London Club this week, said: "You don't call out your captain.

Individuals

"I have no idea what was going on in the US camp and maybe Tom is just not the type of person who can have 12 guys and say the right things to those 12 individuals... or whether there is some history between him and Mickelson.

"But there is an unwritten rule. You just don't call out your captain at a Ryder Cup. Win, lose or draw you just don't.

"The Americans need to have something that can mould them all together that week so it will be very interesting in two years. It will be a telling one.

"If we were to win that one in Hazeltine next time then that could be interesting. But I think they will be seriously up for it."

Watch the action live from the London Club from 2pm on Wednesday on Sky Sports 4