Tom Watson disparaged U.S. players, gift, leading to Mickelson comments
Whether he realized it or not, what Tom Watson said and did the night before the final day of the Ryder Cup may have been why Phil Mickelson skewered him after a third-straight American defeat at Gleneagles.
According to an ESPN.com report, Watson’s behavior at a Saturday night team meeting soured the dozen-man American team on their leader before trying to mount a record-tying comeback against the European team.
After the U.S. was waxed in the Saturday afternoon foursomes (alternate shot) session, they trailed 10-6 heading into the 12 singles matches on Sunday. Acutely aware of the European comeback from the same margin on American soil two years prior, several U.S. players were upbeat about the prospect of a turnabout result. Then came the team meeting in the Gleneagles Hotel.
Watson opened the meeting by telling his charges they “stink at foursomes,” which may well have been a reaction to the Americans losing seven out of a possible eight points in two foursomes sessions. The eight-time major winner then poked fun at the European opponents for his players as he went over the Sunday singles docket. Both scream the actions of a man who learned the coaching style from a bygone generation, not the style the Americans are so aware works for the Europeans to the tune of eight Ryder Cup wins in their last 10 tries.
After setting the stage for Sunday, Watson was presented with a gift from his team: a replica Ryder Cup trophy signed by all of his players. Watson reportedly scoffed at the gift, suggesting it meant nothing unless his team completed the comeback on Sunday.
Several players and Watson’s vice-captains spoke after this awkward scene. Mickelson went last, pulling up a chair with his back turned to Watson, almost to figuratively say, “Forget this guy.” Reportedly, Mickelson talked up his teammates, offering up testimonial stories to improve their confidence before the meeting ended. The team mood swung back toward the cautious optimism that prevailed before Watson tore into his team and their opponennts.
When the U.S. came up three points short of the 8.5 they needed to win the Ryder Cup for the first time since 2008, Watson didn’t let off the gas. He reportedly greeted several players after their matches by saying they should have played better.
By then, Mickelson had clearly seen enough. Interviewed by NBC after the U.S. had lost, Mickelson vented his frustration that the PGA of America had gotten away from 2008 victorious captain Paul Azinger, his Pod system and management style. Without mentioning Watson by name or what unfolded in the team room, Mickelson made his point: Watson had messed up in his eyes and wasn’t going to get away with it.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
