Watson takes blame for Ryder Cup mistakes
(SportsNetwork.com) – United States Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson said in an open letter released through the PGA of America on Saturday that, “whatever mistakes that were made were mine.”
Since Europe defeated the U.S. 16 1/2 – 11 1/2 last Sunday, there have been several reports of dissension in the United States team room.
“The bottom line is this. I was their captain. In hindsight whatever mistakes that were made were mine. And I take complete and full responsibility for them,” Watson said in the letter. “I want to say again to the players, their families, the PGA and our country how proud and honored I was to captain this talented group of golfers, and how privileged I was to spend the past two years working this labor of my love for the Ryder Cup.”
Watson, an out-of-the-box pick by PGA of America president Ted Bishop, was asked to stop the U.S. losing streak. He was the last winning captain in Europe for the U.S. team, and that win was in 1993. Watson was the first repeat captain since Jack Nicklaus in 1987.
According to reports, Watson made disparaging remarks about players on the European team and directed his anger at his own team for how they played in Saturday afternoon’s foursomes session, which Europe won 3-1 to take a 10-6 lead.
“First, I take complete and full responsibility for my communication, and I regret that my words may have made the players feel that I didn’t appreciate their commitment and dedication to winning the Ryder Cup,” said Watson. “My intentions throughout my term as Captain were both to inspire and to be honest.”
Phil Mickelson, without directly naming Watson, openly questioned some of the captain’s decisions in a post-Ryder Cup press conference with Watson and the entire team on the dais, saying nobody had any input. He went on to say the U.S. has gotten away from Paul Azinger’s winning formula from 2008 and, “we need to consider maybe getting back to that formula that helped us play our best.”
Mickelson reportedly had been told via text message on Saturday that he and playing partner Keegan Bradley were not going to play the entire day. They went 1-1 in their two matches on Friday and were 4-1 in their two Ryder Cups together.
“As for Phil’s comments, I completely understand his reaction in the moment. Earlier this week, I had an open and candid conversation with him and it ended with a better understanding of each other’s perspectives,” Watson said. “Phil’s heart and intentions for our team’s success have always been in the right place. Phil is a great player, has great passion and I admire what he’s done for golf.”
Categorized in: PGA