2014 Ryder Cup: Tom Watson concedes the USA were 'shellacked' by Europe in foursomes
Last Updated: 28/09/14 9:57am
United States Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson admits his team were “shellacked” in Saturday’s foursomes - but still believes they can produce a famous comeback.
The USA trail 10-6 heading into Sunday’s singles matches after losing the afternoon session 3½ -½ for the second day in a row.
Using the same terminology as US President Barack Obama did when discussing his party’s performance in the 2010 US midterm elections, Watson conceded that Europe were by far the better team in the foursomes.
"In the infamous words of our President: we got shellacked this afternoon," he said.
However, Watson was quick to point out that a 10-6 deficit has been overturned twice in the last seven editions of the Ryder Cup – including by Europe last time out at Medinah and the USA, as well as in 1999.
He added: "It's 10-6 and, as I recall, there's been a little bit of history with 10-6 comebacks - most recently the Europeans last year (2012) and of course in 1999 at Brookline.
"The players are already talking about that. They said that this is what we're going to have to do. Every player right here is going to have to play their guts out, play their hearts out. What they exude is the belief that they can do this. I know that. I see it."
Watson raised eyebrows by leaving five-time major winner Phil Mickelson out of both the fourballs and foursomes on Saturday.
Pleas
Playing in a record 10th Ryder Cup, Mickelson was desperate to appear in the afternoon foursomes but his pleas fell on deaf ears.
"I played him two rounds yesterday and he was exhausted and maybe that was the wrong choice for me - playing him two rounds - but he wanted to play in the alternate-shot (on Friday) and I had to give him his due," said Watson.
"He said, 'I've got a good record in the alternate shot'. Today I talked to him and Keegan (Bradley) and Webb (Simpson) and said they would be sitting in the afternoon.
"I expected exactly what Phil said to me. He said, 'We can get it done, captain. We want the chance'. I said, 'Well, I think the way this golf course sets up the four teams I put out there gives us the best chance'.
"He lobbied again. He texted me, he said, 'Give us a chance'. I had to tell him no."
However, Watson did admit that he may have made a mistake by sending out Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler for the fourth straight session after the pair were trounced 5&4 by Graeme McDowell and Victor Dubuisson.
Watson said: "It may have been a mistake that I put Jimmy and Rickie out (for) four matches. I thought they could handle it. I think Jimmy got a little bit tired today.
"Maybe it was not the right decision to play Phil two rounds in a row or Jimmy four rounds in a row. Maybe I regret not understanding that they couldn't handle it."
Watch all the final day's action live on Sky Ryder Cup - channel 405 - from 10am on Sunday.
