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Ryder Cup: Paul Azinger open to second spell as US captain

Phil Mickelson of the USA team poses with Paul Azinger
Image: Phil Mickelson poses with Paul Azinger

Phil Mickelson could get his wish after Paul Azinger said he was open to a second spell as US Ryder Cup captain.

Mickelson caused controversy on Sunday when, within two hours of the United States suffering a third straight defeat to Europe in the biennial contest, he criticised the approach of captain Tom Watson.

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Mickelson takes a swipe at the captaincy of Tom Watson

With Watson sitting just a few feet away, Mickelson - who had been left out of a full day's play at Gleneagles on Saturday for the first time in 10 Ryder Cup appearances - stated his support for the methods of Azinger, who captained the side to their last win at Valhalla in 2008.

Asked if he would captain the side again, Azinger said: "I'm not going to rule anything out."

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Watson proud of his team’s effort

The 54-year-old said the PGA of America, which appoints the captains, needed to move away from selecting "lone wolf" captains, instead copying the European model of selecting players who had experience of the Ryder Cup as vice-captains.

"The PGA of America has officers that move up the ranks, getting sage advice along the way, and then many of them stick around and keep offering advice," Azinger said.

"I think the PGA of America should recognise their business model is exactly the same as what Europe uses in selecting a captain."

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Watson explains Mickelson decision

Of the past 10 US captains, only two had previously been vice-captains.

"There is a razor-thin line between winning and losing these matches,"

Azinger added. "Europe has the intangible right now. They give themselves the extra one per cent chance to win through its business model and cohesiveness.

"Even if you play blackjack perfectly in a casino, the casino still has a very slight edge against you. Right now Europe is the casino and the US is the guy walking to the blackjack table with a fistful of 50s."

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