Donaldson hits ‘shot of my life’ to win Ryder Cup
GLENEAGLES, Scotland – The decisive match. The shot of his life. Jamie Donaldson will never forget his Ryder Cup debut.
The chance to clinch Europe’s third straight victory in golf’s biggest team event fell to a strapping, mild-mannered Welsh rookie who was nothing more than a journeyman pro only two years ago.
He didn’t let it pass.
Unaware he had already retained the cup for Europe on the previous hole, Donaldson hit a 9 iron from 146 yards to within 18 inches of the pin on No. 15 at Gleneagles on Sunday.
The crowd roared. Donaldson thrust his right arm up in the air and was slapped on the back by his captain. He didn’t need to make the tap-in – Europe had won again.
“This is the pinnacle,” said Donaldson, draped in a Welsh flag and surrounded by joyous teammates and family members by the side of the 15th green.
He guzzled down champagne and soaked in an atmosphere and experience he’d always dreamed of being part of.
Donaldson is a late developer in golf, winning his first tournament – the Irish Open in the summer of 2012 – at the age of 36. The following two years has seen him top a loaded field in Abu Dhabi at the start of 2013, crack the top 30 in the rankings and make regular appearances at the majors.
But making the Ryder Cup team, by winning the next-to-last qualifying event in the Czech Republic, sealed a career ambition.
“It was all he ever wanted,” his mother, Jacqui, told The Associated Press as she looked over at her son surrounded by reporters and camera crews on the 15th. “It’s what he has ever aimed for all his life.”
Donaldson, the seventh Welshman to play in the Ryder Cup, won two points in three matches with Lee Westwood over Friday and Saturday and was sent out in the 10th match in the singles.
Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and Martin Kaymer won three of the first six matches, Justin Rose had earned a half, but Europe still needed another half to retain the cup and a win to take it outright.
Step forward Donaldson.
Four up with five to play, Donaldson narrowly missed a 10-foot birdie putt on No. 14 and swiped the ball away in disappointment. He walked off with a stern look on his face.
He didn’t know it yet but halving that hole kept the cup in Europe’s hands.
Donaldson split the fairway with his drive on No. 15, leaving him with perfect yardage for a wedge to the green.
“I knew the crowd was gathering,” said Donaldson. “I knew things were coming down to my game. I was just trying to win my point.
“And it was the shot of my life.”
The noise was deafening as Donaldson marched to the green. U.S. captain Tom Watson shook Donaldson’s hand and then European counterpart Paul McGinley’s.
The Ryder Cup was effectively won – but it still needed Bradley to officially concede a 4-and-3 victory, which he did when he saw how close Donaldson’s ball was to the hole.
Donaldson was mobbed by McIlroy, then Henrik Stenson and then a sea of media who battled for a sight of Europe’s match-winner.
“Oh Jamie, Jamie,” the crowd sang.
“It’s hard to describe how good it is,” Donaldson said. “There’s nothing else like it in golf. It’s just a total one-off. It’s just a huge, huge thing, and it’s just been amazing to be a part of it.”
Donaldson hits ‘shot of my life’ to win Ryder Cup
GLENEAGLES, Scotland – The decisive match. The shot of his life. Jamie Donaldson will never forget his Ryder Cup debut.
The chance to clinch Europe’s third straight victory in golf’s biggest team event fell to a strapping, mild-mannered Welsh rookie who was nothing more than a journeyman pro only two years ago.
He didn’t let it pass.
Unaware he had already retained the cup for Europe on the previous hole, Donaldson hit a 9 iron from 146 yards to within 18 inches of the pin on No. 15 at Gleneagles on Sunday.
The crowd roared. Donaldson thrust his right arm up in the air and was slapped on the back by his captain. He didn’t need to make the tap-in – Europe had won again.
“This is the pinnacle,” said Donaldson, draped in a Welsh flag and surrounded by joyous teammates and family members by the side of the 15th green.
He guzzled down champagne and soaked in an atmosphere and experience he’d always dreamed of being part of.
Donaldson is a late developer in golf, winning his first tournament – the Irish Open in the summer of 2012 – at the age of 36. The following two years has seen him top a loaded field in Abu Dhabi at the start of 2013, crack the top 30 in the rankings and make regular appearances at the majors.
But making the Ryder Cup team, by winning the next-to-last qualifying event in the Czech Republic, sealed a career ambition.
“It was all he ever wanted,” his mother, Jacqui, told The Associated Press as she looked over at her son surrounded by reporters and camera crews on the 15th. “It’s what he has ever aimed for all his life.”
Donaldson, the seventh Welshman to play in the Ryder Cup, won two points in three matches with Lee Westwood over Friday and Saturday and was sent out in the 10th match in the singles.
Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and Martin Kaymer won three of the first six matches, Justin Rose had earned a half, but Europe still needed another half to retain the cup and a win to take it outright.
Step forward Donaldson.
Four up with five to play, Donaldson narrowly missed a 10-foot birdie putt on No. 14 and swiped the ball away in disappointment. He walked off with a stern look on his face.
He didn’t know it yet but halving that hole kept the cup in Europe’s hands.
Donaldson split the fairway with his drive on No. 15, leaving him with perfect yardage for a wedge to the green.
“I knew the crowd was gathering,” said Donaldson. “I knew things were coming down to my game. I was just trying to win my point.
“And it was the shot of my life.”
The noise was deafening as Donaldson marched to the green. U.S. captain Tom Watson shook Donaldson’s hand and then European counterpart Paul McGinley’s.
The Ryder Cup was effectively won – but it still needed Bradley to officially concede a 4-and-3 victory, which he did when he saw how close Donaldson’s ball was to the hole.
Donaldson was mobbed by McIlroy, then Henrik Stenson and then a sea of media who battled for a sight of Europe’s match-winner.
“Oh Jamie, Jamie,” the crowd sang.
“It’s hard to describe how good it is,” Donaldson said. “There’s nothing else like it in golf. It’s just a total one-off. It’s just a huge, huge thing, and it’s just been amazing to be a part of it.”
Europe wins Ryder Cup again
GLENEAGLES, Scotland – Europe added another chapter of Ryder Cup dominance on Sunday behind Rory McIlroy, two big rallies and a rookie who hit the shot of his life to give this week a finish it deserved.
Jamie Donaldson, unaware he already had done enough to retain the Ryder Cup, hit a 9-iron that settled 3 feet from the cup on the 15th hole. Keegan Bradley walked onto the green, saw Donaldson’s ball next to the hole, removed his cap and conceded the birdie.
And the celebration was on.
Europe won the Ryder Cup for the third straight time, and the eighth time in the last 10 tries.
“It came down to me to close it out, but it’s all about the team,” Donaldson said. “Everyone played their heart out to retain the Ryder Cup. And that’s what it’s all about.”
McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Justin Rose made sure the Americans would not get their redemption from the meltdown at Medinah two years ago as the first team to blow a four-point lead at home.
McIlroy was 6-under par on his first six holes and trounced Rickie Fowler to set the tone. The Americans put plenty of red on the board early, just not for long. McDowell was 3-down after five holes and Rose was four behind after six holes. McDowell rallied to beat Jordan Spieth, while Rose earned a halve against Hunter Mahan.
Martin Kaymer, who holed the winning point at Medinah, put Europe on the cusp of victory when he chipped in for eagle on the 16th to beat Bubba Watson.
That set the stage for Donaldson.
“The shot of my life,” he called it.
Europe captain Paul McGinley, who spoke all week about a template for success, stood by the 15th green with the rest of the players who had finished their matches. Donaldson was mobbed by his teammates, another happy occasion for Europe.
Asked for the highlight of the week, McGinley turned to Donaldson and said, “When you look at a face like that.” He put both hands on Donaldson’s face and hugged him.
The Americans still can’t figure out this exhibition of team play.
They even brought back Tom Watson, at 65 the oldest captain in Ryder Cup history and the last American captain to win on European soil. Watson made a series of questionable moves during team play and the Americans didn’t have much hope on Sunday.
Watson attributed the loss to foursomes – Europe was unbeaten in both sessions and collected seven of the eight points – though McGinley wrote that off as a fluke. Asked what he would tell his team in a final meeting, Watson said, “You played your best, but it wasn’t enough. You’ve got to find out what it takes a little better.”
Watson sure didn’t find it.
Except for a victory at Valhalla behind captain Paul Azinger in 2008, the Americans haven’t solved this Ryder Cup puzzle.
And this one wasn’t particularly close.
Europe already was assured of at least 16 points with one match still on the course. It was the fourth time in the last seven Ryder Cup matches that Europe won by at least three points.
US beats World 28-20 in ISPS Handa Cup
WEST POINT, Miss. – Juli Inkster led the United States to a 28-20 victory over the World team in the ISPS Handa Cup, shooting a 5-under 67 on Sunday at Old Waverly to beat Laura Davies by a stroke.
The 54-year-old Inkster, making her Legends Tour debut, won the 1999 U.S. Women’s Open at Old Waverly.
“I had a lot of chances,” Inkster said. “I three-putted for bogey at the fifth and three-putted for double bogey at the seventh, so Laura owed me a little and I made some putts on the back nine. It all works out.
“I enjoyed playing. I had a blast hanging out with the gals I grew up with and went to college with and played a lot of golf with. It’s been a lot of fun. I’d love to come back if they invited me back.”
Sherri Steinhauer clinched the Cup for the Americans, beating Alicia Dibos 69-70 with a 20-foot birdie putt on the par-4 18th. The U.S. leads the series 7-1-1.
Beth Daniel, Barb Mucha, Christa Johnson, Meg Mallon and Nancy Scranton also won matches for the United States. Daniel topped Canada’s Lorie Kane 72-74, Mucha beat another Canadian – Dawn Coe-Jones – 71-73, Johnson defeated Mieko Nomura 71-75, Mallon edged Jane Crafter 68-70, and Scranton beat Helen Aldredsson 74-75.
Trish Johnson, Wendy Doolan and Liselotte Neumann won matches for the World team. Johnson, the Ladies Scottish Open winner last month at a Ladies European Tour-record age of 48, beat Laurie Rinker 67-71, Doolan routed Val Skinner 69-80, and Neumann beat Rosie Jones 68-70.
Americans Sherri Turner and Pat Bradley halved her matches. Turner tied Jenny Lidback at 74, and Bradley matched Alison Nicholas, also at 74.
The teams were tied at 12 after playing nine-hole better-ball and alternate-shot matches Saturday.
Humber takes over top spot in CCAA rankings
With the 2014 PING Canadian College Athletic Association (CCAA) Golf National Championships right around the corner, there’s a new team atop the men’s rankings.
The Humber Hawks have bumped the defending champion University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) Cascades out of the top spot, thanks in large part to four top-3 finishes in four Ontario College Athletic Association (OCAA) events – including two victories.
“Humber has been a perennial force in men’s golf and are proving once again they will be a top contender at Nationals,” said Albert Roche, Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association golf convenor.
Over in the Pacific Western Athletic Association (PACWEST), Fraser Valley stumbled – by its standards – to a fourth-place finish at the recent Vancouver Island University Invitational. Despite that result, the Cascades still sit first overall in the PACWEST standings. But, the result was enough to bump them out of the No. 1 spot.
“It may be more of a reflection of UFV’s standing in men’s golf in the strong PACWEST conference,” said Roche. “Four teams are showing tremendous competitiveness and battling for top placement in the conference,” he said.
UFV dominated the 2013 nationals, capturing gold in both the men’s and women’s team competitions. They also took home 4-of-6 individual medals. There’s no doubt, the Cascades will be ready come Oct. 14-17, when the National Championships return to Quebec City for the second consecutive year.
“The nationals are shaping up to be a real shootout for varsity golf supremacy for both our men and women,” said Roche.
Humber is coming off silver (men) and bronze (women) medal performances at the 2013 event. That would be a dream tournament for some institutions, but not Humber. The Hawks were, after all, coming off a streak that saw them capture at least one gold medal per season in team competition since 2006.
In 2013, Humber’s men’s squad had a rebuild year of sort but gained valuable experience. Most players from the silver-medal winning team are back this season.
John Cook leads Champions Tour’s First Tee Open
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – John Cook shot a 4-under 68 at Pebble Beach on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead over Tom Byrum and Skip Kendall in the Champions Tour’s First Tee Open.
Cook had eight birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey to reach 8-under 135. He won the 1981 Bing Crosby National Pro-Am at Pebble Beach for the first of his 11 PGA Tour titles.
Kendall, playing in his second Champions Tour event after earning a spot in the field in open qualifying Tuesday, had a 69 at Pebble Beach. Byrum shot a 3-under 68 at Poppy Hills.
The final round will be played at Pebble Beach.
Marco Dawson was fourth at 6 under after a 68 at Poppy Hills.
Davis Love III, also making his second Champions Tour start, and two-time U.S. Open Lee Janzen topped the group at 5 under. Love had a 67 at Pebble Beach, and Janzen a 70 at Poppy Hills.
First-round leader Blaine McCallister was 4 under after a 73 at Pebble Beach.
Rod Spittle is the leading Canadian. He shot a second straight 70 and is 3 under.
Two-time defending champion Kirk Triplett was 2 under after a 72 at Pebble Beach.
Henderson and Canada ready for World Junior Girl’s Championship
MARKHAM, Ont. – Brooke Henderson is close to deciding her golf future.
The 17-year-old rising star from Smiths Falls, Ont., said Friday she expects to make a decision in the next two weeks regarding whether she’ll enrol at the University of Florida or join the LPGA Tour. Henderson, who is No. 1 in the world amateur golf rankings, has won seven amateur titles and two pro events this season while making the cut in all four LPGA tournaments she entered.
“Right now I’m making a lot of decisions, the big one being whether to go to Florida, which is one of the top-ranked schools in the U.S., or turn professional,” Henderson said during a telephone interview. “My decision is a little unclear at the moment but I think in the next couple of weeks a decision should be made.”
Giving Henderson food for thought is her performance in the LPGA events.
Not only did the articulate, well-spoken teen make the cut in all four tournaments, she finished tied for 10th — and was the top amateur — in the U.S. Women’s Open. She also finished tied for 26th at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, which is also a major.
Henderson was victorious at the Canadian Women’s Tour Ontario and PGA Women’s Championship of Canada and was also the low amateur and low Canuck at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open in London, Ont., last August — the LPGA Tour’s lone stop north of the border.
“Those two (majors), really, were confidence boosters and showed me, ‘You know what? I can compete with the best,”’ Henderson said. “I know I still have a long way to go until I am consistently up there at the top but those were definitely key moments in my summer.”
Earlier this month, Henderson won the individual title at the world amateur championship in Japan and combined with Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont., and Augusta James of Bath, Ont., to earn Canada a second-place finish in the team event.
For Henderson, it’s a perfect prep event for the upcoming World Junior Girls Championship at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont.
“It doesn’t happen often in golf that it’s a team sport,” Henderson said. “The Ryder Cup is going on right now but other than that, there’s not many team events so it is a learning experience, definitely.
“But coming off the world amateur, that was my last tournament so I’m still in that mindset and I think that’s definitely going to help.”
As the host country, Canada will field two three-golfer teams in the inaugural 15-country event, which begins Sunday. Henderson, Ottawa’s Grace St-Germain and Victoria’s Naomi Ko will make up one squad while the other will consist of Calgary’s Jaclyn Lee, Selena Costabile of Thornhill, Ont., and Alisha Lau of Richmond, B.C.
The 72-hole tournament runs through Wednesday. A total of 48 golfers aged 19 and under are scheduled to participate in team and individual competition.
Qualifying countries were invited based upon how they fared at the 2012 event in Turkey.
“They picked the top countries so they’re all very good players, they’re all very skilled,” Henderson said. “There’s always Korea, the U.S., and Japan who are always right up there.
“You’ve got to play your own game but also keep an eye on them.”
Playing on home soil will put added pressure on the Canadians, but Henderson says that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
“If there’s pressure, it means you’re doing something right and you’re expected to complete something,” she said. “Definitely everyone here wants us to play well and play our best and hopefully hold up that trophy at the end of the week.
“There’s always going to be that little bit, you just have to take the challenge and run with it.”
And given her place in the world rankings, that’s an attitude Henderson plans to take on to the course.
“Like I said, you have to take that challenge and perform your best,” she said. “If you’re able to represent your country and the people around you along the way, that’s perfect.
“The key is definitely to play my own game. It’s a team event but if I play well then it’s going to help my team in the long run.”
Golf is slated to return to the Summer Olympics in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and if the Canadian team was selected now, Henderson would make the cut as the highest-ranked female among pro golfers in the country. Although that selection won’t be made for a while, Henderson definitely wants to wear Canada’s colours in an Olympic competition.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to play for Canada and go to the Olympics,” she said. “I’m excited right now because I am the No. 1-ranked professional in Canada so if the team was chosen right now I’d be picked to go to Rio and compete.
“I’m excited to be in this position and hopefully over the next two years I stay there.”
Click here for pairings for the World Junior Girls Championship.
CN Future Links crown National Junior Skills Challenge champions
MARKHAM, Ont. – CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) and Golf Canada are pleased to announce the six champions of Saturday’s CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Event at the Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont., site of this week’s 2014 World Junior Girls Championship.
The National Event, running for the sixth consecutive year, crowned both a female and male champion from three different age groups (9-11, 12-14 and 15-18). Among the 25 participants from across the country, the following six individuals emerged as champions:
- Braxton Kuntz, Breezy Bend Country Club, Manitoba (Boys 9-11)
- Sarah Gallagher, Braeben Golf Course, Ontario (Girls 9-11)
- Finn Lawlor, Seymour Golf Club, British Columbia (Boys 12-14)
- Laura Wong, Seymour Golf Club, British Columbia (Girls 12-14)
- Tyler Leclair, Seymour Golf Club, British Columbia (Boys 15-18)
- Molly MacDermaid, Gowan Brae Golf Club, New Brunswick (Girls 15-18)
The winners of each age group received a champion’s package from Titleist, valued at $300. In addition, Tyler Leclair and Molly MacDermaid – winners of the 15-18 age groups – will be given an exemption into their local 2015 CN Future Links Championship.
“It was a lot of fun out there,” said boys 15-18 winner Leclair. “It was very special to win here. The event was really set up well; all of the sponsors have been great. It was tough, everyone battled hard, and it got close and came down to one putt in the end. To win this on a national level is very sweet.”
Saturday’s National Event tested juniors in a four part skills challenge which tested putting, chipping, driving and iron play. The participants, split into three different age groups, were invited based on their scores from individual Skills Challenge events hosted at local clubs throughout the year by CN Future Links instructors.
“The objective of the CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Event is to focus on the core skills (chipping, putting, iron play and driving) of the sport and put the spotlight on participants that have achieved the top scores from various events that have happened throughout the season,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer. “We congratulate all of the competitors who qualified for the National Event and look forward to another great year of challenging Canada’s most talented and eager juniors.”
Current CN Future Links programming includes the ‘Learn to Play’ program as well as mobile clinics, the Junior Skills Challenge, Junior Leagues, Girls Club and the CN Future Links Championships. As part of its investment in Canadian junior golf, CN is also a proud supporter of Golf in Schools. New programming as part of the investment in youth golf will include CN Future Links School Adoption Program and CN Future Links Field Trip Program.
A full listing of programs and information for junior golfers, parents, instructors and facilities is available at www.cnfuturelinks.com.
CN Future Links crown National Junior Skills Challenge champions
MARKHAM, Ont. – CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) and Golf Canada are pleased to announce the six champions of Saturday’s CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Event at the Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont., site of this week’s 2014 World Junior Girls Championship.
The National Event, running for the sixth consecutive year, crowned both a female and male champion from three different age groups (9-11, 12-14 and 15-18). Among the 25 participants from across the country, the following six individuals emerged as champions:
- Braxton Kuntz, Breezy Bend Country Club, Manitoba (Boys 9-11)
- Sarah Gallagher, Braeben Golf Course, Ontario (Girls 9-11)
- Finn Lawlor, Seymour Golf Club, British Columbia (Boys 12-14)
- Laura Wong, Seymour Golf Club, British Columbia (Girls 12-14)
- Tyler Leclair, Seymour Golf Club, British Columbia (Boys 15-18)
- Molly MacDermaid, Gowan Brae Golf Club, New Brunswick (Girls 15-18)
The winners of each age group received a champion’s package from Titleist, valued at $300. In addition, Tyler Leclair and Molly MacDermaid – winners of the 15-18 age groups – will be given an exemption into their local 2015 CN Future Links Championship.
“It was a lot of fun out there,” said boys 15-18 winner Leclair. “It was very special to win here. The event was really set up well; all of the sponsors have been great. It was tough, everyone battled hard, and it got close and came down to one putt in the end. To win this on a national level is very sweet.”
Saturday’s National Event tested juniors in a four part skills challenge which tested putting, chipping, driving and iron play. The participants, split into three different age groups, were invited based on their scores from individual Skills Challenge events hosted at local clubs throughout the year by CN Future Links instructors.
“The objective of the CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Event is to focus on the core skills (chipping, putting, iron play and driving) of the sport and put the spotlight on participants that have achieved the top scores from various events that have happened throughout the season,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer. “We congratulate all of the competitors who qualified for the National Event and look forward to another great year of challenging Canada’s most talented and eager juniors.”
Current CN Future Links programming includes the ‘Learn to Play’ program as well as mobile clinics, the Junior Skills Challenge, Junior Leagues, Girls Club and the CN Future Links Championships. As part of its investment in Canadian junior golf, CN is also a proud supporter of Golf in Schools. New programming as part of the investment in youth golf will include CN Future Links School Adoption Program and CN Future Links Field Trip Program.
A full listing of programs and information for junior golfers, parents, instructors and facilities is available at www.cnfuturelinks.com.
A day of rest for Mickelson at Ryder Cup
GLENEAGLES, Scotland – The tee shots were in play, and Phil Mickelson strode down the first fairway in the Ryder Cup like he has done so many times before. He was in full uniform. He wore golf shoes. And he inserted earphones to listen to the radio coverage of the matches.
He wasn’t a player on Saturday. He was a cheerleader.
For the first time in 10 appearances at the Ryder Cup – the most of any American in history – Mickelson spent an entire day without hitting a single shot. U.S. captain Tom Watson sat him out in the morning, and then he chose not to play Mickelson and Keegan Bradley in the afternoon.
The last time Mickelson played only two matches going into the final round was in 1995 at Oak Hill when he was a Ryder Cup rookie. Asked to comment as he walked down the fairway to watch, Mickelson said, “Whatever it takes to win.”
“I want our team to win, and whatever we have to do is all I care about,” he said.
When asked whose decision it was not to play, Mickelson smiled and kept walking.
Mickelson and Bradley rallied to take down Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia in the opening session of fourballs on Friday, but they lost badly in foursomes when Bradley couldn’t keep it in the short grass and Mickelson couldn’t make enough putts.
“They didn’t perform all that well yesterday afternoon,” Watson said. “They really wanted to go today. These are the best pairings for alternate shot.”
Watson also benched Webb Simpson for all of Saturday. Simpson was his final captain’s pick who lobbied Watson through text message the morning he was chosen.
The decision backfired on Watson when he sent out Rickie Fowler and Ryder Cup rookie Jimmy Walker for a fourth straight match Saturday afternoon. They were the only Americans to go 36 holes both days. Walker, in particular, looked weary, and he even shanked a shot on the third hole from the fairway.
Graeme McDowell and Victor Dubuisson made five birdies against no bogeys, a score that would have beaten anyone in foursomes. They were 4 up after six holes and sailed to a 5-and-4 victory.
“Jimmy Walker hit a shot that not many people in this media center would be proud of,” McDowell said. “I mean, that had to be tiredness. It had to be. I said to Victor, `Listen, let’s show these guys how energetic we are … and really try not to give them an inch.'”
Mickelson asked to play in foursomes on Friday and Watson agreed. Lefty asked to play on Saturday and Watson turned him down.
“I came back up to the clubhouse and walked to him and Keegan and Webb and said they would be sitting in the afternoon,” Watson said. “I expected exactly what Phil said to me. He said, `We can get it done.’ I said, `Well, the way this golf course sets up, the four teams I put out there give us the best chance.’ He lobbied again. He text me. He said, `Give us a chance.’ I had to tell him no.”
Mickelson and Bradley formed America’s best team two years ago at Medinah when they went 3-0, asking to sit out the final session to be fresh for singles. Both wound up losing their singles matches as Europe rallied from a 10-6 deficit to win.
Mickelson, a five-time major champion, has not won a tournament since the British Open last summer at Muirfield, though he finished one shot behind McIlroy in the PGA Championship last month at Valhalla.
Bradley has gone more than two years without winning, and he had to rely on a captain’s pick to make this team. That means two of Watson’s three picks did not play a shot on Saturday. That might lead to even more second-guessing for the 65-year-old captain.
When asked if he regretted not playing Mickelson, Watson shot back, “No.”
Later, he was asked if he had any regrets at all, and whether he took into account that Fowler and Walker had gone all 18 holes and halved their previous three matches.
“When I look back on it, maybe playing the players too much would be one regret,” Watson said. “They got a little tired. And that certainly is something that I thought they could handle, and maybe I regret not understanding that they couldn’t handle it.”