Ryder Cup: It's all about making the stats add-up, says Tom Watson
Last Updated: 23/09/14 6:23am
Tom Watson has certainly done his stats ahead of the Ryder Cup which tees-off at Gleneagles on Friday morning.
The United States skipper is not only determined to reduce Ian Poulter’s winning-percentage in Ryder Cup matches, he has also informed his players of what they need to do in order to win back the trophy.
Poulter has won 11 of his last 12 matches and was the star performer for Europe at Medinah two years ago.
Watson said: "We've got a lot of players to look at but Poulter, with his record – he's an 80 per-cent victor over the series – we'd like to reduce that.
"Certainly, whenever you beat the stud on the opposing team that gives your team a boost. But when it's all said and done it's 12 guys out there trying to win a point each match.
Redemption
"There are eight guys in the first four matches, and on the last on Sunday, 12 guys are trying to win a point.
"Basically, all you have to do is win a point and a half for the entire matches and you win the Ryder Cup.
"That's the bottom line. That's what I'm telling my players."
Seven members of the American dozen tasted defeat in 2012 – Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson, Matt Kuchar, Zach Johnson, Keegan Bradley and Webb Simpson – when the Europeans recovered from 4-10 down to pull off a remarkable triumph.
And Watson added: "I made it very clear to them that this trip is a redemption trip.
"If any players are on this team that played on that team, then it's time to make amends and try to redeem yourselves from what happened in 2012.
"I think it's a motivation rather than a negative."
Make sure you catch exclusive coverage of all three days of the 2014 Ryder Cup - Sep 26-28 - on Sky Sports' dedicated Ryder Cup channel and via the Sky Sports for iPad app's Ryder Cup Match Centre.
