Tom Watson took the blame Saturday for his communication with his players in another American loss at the Ryder Cup, and the 65-year-old captain said he called Phil Mickelson this week to clear the air.
“I regret that my words may have made the players feel that I didn’t appreciate their commitment and dedication to winning the Ryder Cup,” Watson said in a statement issued through the PGA of America. “My intentions throughout my term as captain were both to inspire and to be honest.”
Mickelson indirectly called out Watson in an awkward news conference after Europe’s victory. Mickelson said the Americans have strayed from a winning formula they had under Paul Azinger in 2008.
Watson was sitting among his 12 players and said he had a different philosophy.
Saturday’s statement was issued one day after an ESPN report citing four unidentified people who were in the U.S. team room the night before the final matches. Those people said Watson blamed the players for their performances in foursomes and scoffed at a gift from the players by saying it was meaningless if they didn’t win.
The gift was a replica of the Ryder Cup the players had signed.
“The guys gave everything. They played their hearts out,” Watson said.
Mickelson was playing in his 10th Ryder Cup and said the U.S. was not involved in any decision. He heaped praise on Azinger for his “pods” system that got the players involved when they won in 2008.
Watson dismissed that during the news conference, saying winning the Cup was not about pods and that it took 12 players to win.
ESPN said Mickelson kept his back turned at Watson and tried to rally the players during the meeting. Watson said he had a “candid conversation” with Mickelson this week “and it ended with a better understanding of each other’s perspectives.”
