Ryder Cup: Captain Tom Watson takes the blame for rookies Reed and Spieth missing out
Saturday 27 September 2014 05:59, UK
Tom Watson accepted his USA team was outplayed by Europe on the first day of the Ryder Cup and also took the blame for his decision to leave out rookies Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth in the afternoon despite a thumping morning win.
The youngsters destroyed Ian Poulter and Stephen Gallacher but despite that result, and having a decent rest before the start of the foursomes, Watson opted to throw Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson back into action.
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The older duo had only just finished their morning match, and looked tired at times as they folded to defeat against Victor Dubuisson and Graeme McDowell.
"We were outplayed, I know that," Watson said. "It started off looking pretty good and then we didn't perform in the afternoon and it's very disappointing.
"The players themselves are disappointed. I know the question is going to be asked about Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed, whether I should have played them in the afternoon.
"I thought at the time it was the best decision not to play them. It was a decision my vice-captains and I felt very strongly for. I had some doubt in making that decision but my gut feeling said that was the right decision to make.
Reed unhappy
"When I told Patrick he wasn't going to play in the afternoon I said 'How does that make you feel?' and he said, "Well, I'm all right with it.... Well, really, captain, I'm not all right with it'.
"I said 'That's the way I want you to be'. You're going to be second-guessed and obviously you're going to second-guess me on that decision right there."
Watson has rested Mickelson and Bradley for Saturday's fourballs to give them a break but will send them out in the afternoon.
Watson defended his decision to put out what he thought was his reliable pairing for a second successive session.
"Phil and Keegan struggled in the afternoon. They missed a lot of putts and kind of blew themselves out of it," he added.
"There are certain personal things (which) you don't go into details and talk to the press about. They have done well in alternate-shot, and I had to give them a go."
Morning off
Of his decision to give them the morning off on Saturday he said: "It's really just common sense I think. They played 36 holes. They are tired.
"I'll give them a break in the morning, get their legs back. They may not go together but they will go in the afternoon."
Mickelson did not fully agree with the assessment that he had run out of energy in the afternoon session.
"I don't know the description I would use, I didn't feel like I was out of gas as far as out of energy, but I stopped hitting good shots," said the left-hander.
"I didn't play very well in the afternoon. I ended up not making putts that I normally would make and hitting some shots that I haven't been hitting. I didn't play the best."
