'Spieth, Reed, Mickelson and Bradley should have played more'
Friday 3 October 2014 16:01, UK
Where did things go wrong for America at the Ryder Cup?
Phil Mickelson was very candid in the wake of his team’s 16½-11½ loss to Europe, citing the decision to move away from 2008 captain Paul Azinger’s ‘pod system’ and ‘gameplan’ as reasons for USA’s defeat.
However, Andrew Coltart, speaking on Sky Sports’ review show, How the Ryder Cup Was Won, suggested that USA succumbed because of mistakes made by skipper Tom Watson when selecting his pairings.
Mickelson and Bradley begged to play but Tom said: ‘No, it’s my way or the highway’ and you could see then that things probably weren’t right.
The 65-year-old left Ryder Cup debutants Patrick Reed, 25, and Jordan Spieth, 21, out of Friday’s foursomes, despite the youngsters smashing Ian Poulter and Stephen Gallacher 5&4 in fourballs.
Watson also opted not to utilise Mickelson and Keegan Bradley – a partnership that yielded three points at Medinah two years ago – in either of Saturday’s sessions, and Coltart thinks those decisions were extremely costly.
“Coming into the Ryder Cup as a rookie can be very intimidating but Spieth and Reed gelled well, played fantastically out on the course and destroyed Poulter and Gallacher,” said Coltart, who played for Europe in the 1999 Ryder Cup at Brookline.
“It was so bizarre that they were left out on Friday afternoon after that performance and also because they are young and could easily have played five matches across the week.
“They must have been gutted, while the decision would also have shocked the players in the team room, and perhaps that highlighted some of the fractures in the camp.
“To then see Mickelson and Bradley sit out the whole of Saturday was a bit of a slight on their partnership and odd considering Bradley was picked as a wildcard because he is the foil to Phil.
“They begged to play in the afternoon but Tom said: ‘No, it’s my way or the highway’ and you could see then things weren’t right.”
Coltart was glowing in his praise of victorious European captain Paul McGinley, who guided his continent to their third Ryder Cup win in a row – and eighth in the last 10 events.
But the former European Tour player also pin-pointed some key moments across a gripping three days at Gleneagles that swung the competition in the home team’s favour.
“Paul has been one of the best captains over the last 20 years,” added Coltart.
“He was meticulous, used the stats and did thorough research – he knew everything about each and every player in his team and how to get the most out of them.
“However, when Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlrory pulled back to all square on Friday afternoon after being two-down with two to play against Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler, it was a kick in the solar plexus for the US team and a real momentum-grabber for Europe
“It was also crucial that Martin Kaymer and Justin Rose got a half on Saturday evening as it kept an American point off the board in that session, while McDowell then got a vital comeback on Sunday.
“Spieth was pulling away from Graeme in the singles and things were looking a bit ominous, but when Graeme came back Spieth got rattled and we got a key point to set us on the way.”
What do you think was the defining moment of the 2014 Ryder Cup? Let us know via the feedback form below (skysports.com only).
