Ryder Cup: 'I won't need to motivate' says Tom Watson

Tom Watson believes he will not need to motivate his players during next week’s Ryder Cup match at Gleneagles.

The American skipper says his team are desperate to avenge their crushing loss of two years ago when the United States snatched defeat from the jaws of an overwhelming victory.

Back at Medinah, the hosts were leading 10-4 before capitulating on singles day to lose the match 14½-13½.

The Americans have won just one Ryder Cup match on European soil during the past 32 years and that happened when Watson captained the team at The Belfry in 1993.

Speaking ahead of the contest over The Centenary Course, the 64-year-old said: "That was a hard loss for the American players and it still sticks with a lot of them.

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“They want to make amends for what happened at Medinah two years ago.                

"It left a pit in my stomach, just a hole in my stomach, after our defeat.

"I don't think there's going to be much motivation necessary, maybe just a word or two about we don't want this to happen again.”

And Scotland is a part of Britain where Watson has enjoyed considerable success.

Four of his five Open titles were won north of Hadrian’s Wall – at Carnoustie, Turnberry, Muirfield and Troon – and talking about Scotland he adds: "I love it there. I love the way they love the game.

Partisan

"The Scottish people, they are knowledgeable. They understand the game and of course they are going to be very partisan. We know that."

And PGA of America president Ted Bishop has praised Watson for the way the eight-time Major champion has gone about his role as skipper.

Bishop said: "What has impressed me more than anything has been the effort that Tom has made to get to know the players, play with the players.               

"At times he's beaten some of our players at these events. But I think that gives him a great amount of credibility with the players and we are certainly very confident of his ability to lead our team."