Ryder Cup 2014: Colin Montgomerie questions Tom Watson's foursomes pairings
'US skipper should have stuck with Spieth-Reed partnership'
Saturday 27 September 2014 06:03, UK
Colin Montgomerie says Tom Watson’s decision not to persevere with the Jordan Spieth-Patrick Reed partnership could cost America the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
Rookies Spieth and Reed thrashed European talisman Ian Poulter and local favourite Stephen Gallacher 5&4 in the morning fourballs, but sat out the afternoon foursomes as Paul McGinley’s side accrued a 5-3 lead after day one.
Sky Sports pundit Montgomerie was staggered America’s young guns were left kicking their heels after lunch and believes that with Phil Mickelson not at his pomp, Watson’s squad are in a perilous position.
I fear for this American team without Mickelson playing his best – and I wonder who is going to be the team leader out on the course.
“Watson will be ruing the decision not to play Reed and Spieth in the foursomes and it’s one that could cost him come Sunday afternoon,” said Montgomerie, Europe’s 2010 Ryder Cup captain.
“These guys are young, so they weren’t tired and didn’t want a rest after the morning.
Struggling
“They wanted to play and I was amazed that they didn’t play in the afternoon and Mickelson and Keegan Bradley did.
“Phil and Keegan got out of jail first up [to beat Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy 1 up] but they are not a foursome pairing as they don’t hit enough fairways.”
“I now fear for this American team without Mickelson playing his best – and I wonder who is going to be the team leader out on the course.
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“With Phil struggling and no Tiger Woods, nobody is really pulling out ahead here and going: ‘Come on lads, we can do this’, and that’s why I think Europe are firmly in the driving seat.
“If America don’t win Saturday’s first session, I think Europe will win this Ryder Cup.”
Stature
Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose, meanwhile, proved to be a formidable tandem for Europe, with the pair defeating Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson 5&4 in Friday’s fourballs and Hunter Mahan and Zach Johnson 2&1 in the foursomes.
Two-time Ryder Cupper David Howell told Sky Sports that Stenson and Rose overwhelmed their opponents at Gleneagles.
“They’ve got such stature in the game – and physically as well,” said Howell. “They are big guys and are an intimidating pairing to play against.
“Henrik is an iceman, has all the power on the world and is slightly more dynamic than Justin, but Rose makes the game look so simple nowadays.
“He has a great swing, all the self-belief after winning a Major [the 2013 US Open], and everything he does strikes of composure.”
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