This article is part of our Weekly PGA Recap series.
Well, that chartered plane ride home for the U.S. Ryder Cuppers must've been ... um ... er ... what's the right word? ... Oh, yes: awkward.
"Cocktail, Mr. Mickelson?"
"Yes, I'll have a Bloody Tom, I mean, Mary. Bloody MARY."
There was so much throwing-under-the-bus during the week at the Gleneagles, the U.S. team should've had Greyhound logos on their shirts. Or tire tracks. First, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed were upset with captain Tom Watson after being benched on Friday afternoon; then Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley were upset with Watson for being benched all day Saturday; then Watson disclosed a private conversation with Mickelson and later said it was up to his players to play better; and, finally and most explosively, on Sunday evening after Europe once again kicked the Americans, Mickelson said, in effect, that this all wouldn't have happened if only Paul Azinger were captain. Zing!
To hear Mickelson tell it, there hasn't been this much bumbling by a Watson in the U.K. since the days of Sherlock Holmes.
The only Watson who wasn't upset and whom no one was upset with was Bubba. And therein lies his problem: He said he was too nice for the cutthroat golf of the Ryder Cup.
Europe won the 40th Ryder Cup, 16.5 points to 11.5, making it six of the last seven in the biennial competition. The only U.S. victory in that span was when Azinger was captain in 2008.
There was much written in years past how
Well, that chartered plane ride home for the U.S. Ryder Cuppers must've been ... um ... er ... what's the right word? ... Oh, yes: awkward.
"Cocktail, Mr. Mickelson?"
"Yes, I'll have a Bloody Tom, I mean, Mary. Bloody MARY."
There was so much throwing-under-the-bus during the week at the Gleneagles, the U.S. team should've had Greyhound logos on their shirts. Or tire tracks. First, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed were upset with captain Tom Watson after being benched on Friday afternoon; then Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley were upset with Watson for being benched all day Saturday; then Watson disclosed a private conversation with Mickelson and later said it was up to his players to play better; and, finally and most explosively, on Sunday evening after Europe once again kicked the Americans, Mickelson said, in effect, that this all wouldn't have happened if only Paul Azinger were captain. Zing!
To hear Mickelson tell it, there hasn't been this much bumbling by a Watson in the U.K. since the days of Sherlock Holmes.
The only Watson who wasn't upset and whom no one was upset with was Bubba. And therein lies his problem: He said he was too nice for the cutthroat golf of the Ryder Cup.
Europe won the 40th Ryder Cup, 16.5 points to 11.5, making it six of the last seven in the biennial competition. The only U.S. victory in that span was when Azinger was captain in 2008.
There was much written in years past how the Americans had the best talent, but Europe created the mot cohesive team. This year, the Euros were the heavy favorites based on talent, and again proved to be the best unit. That's an unbeatable combination. Watson needed to make up some of the talent difference with his captain's picks, but instead he chose three retreads - Keegan Bradley, Hunter Mahan and Webb Simpson - who were clearly off their games for most of the run-up to the selection date.
Golf gamers are golf fans and, thus, watch the Ryder Cup even without any fantasy implications. But there surely are tips to be gleaned that can help with your upcoming draft and the season ahead.
Phil Mickelson
Mickelson followed up his worst PGA Tour season with another Ryder Cup clunker. At 44, and with arthritis a known health issue for him, Mickelson appears to no longer be a top player. He may be able to put together a week to win a tournament next year, but that would be more surprising than him not winning. And Mickelson will only play less in the future.
Ian Poulter
Poulter for years had been the European lightning rod. But he was a non-factor this time around and, after a weak PGA Tour season, his best days may be behind him, as well. Poulter is 38 and, if he can't get it done in the Ryder Cup, where can he? Like Mickelson, he's a big downgrade since the start of last season.
Patrick Reed
It looks like he could be the new, Americanized version of Poulter. Reed was the top U.S. player this week, on top of a strong - albeit front-loaded - 2013-14 season. He may not be a top-5 golfer, as he so infamously pronounced, but his career is clearly on the upswing, and maybe he'll even crack the top 10 in the year ahead.
Justin Rose
Rose was the top golfer for Europe and in the entire Ryder Cup. He continues to play big on the big stages, and it would surprise few if the Englishman added a second major to his resume next year. He's clearly among the world's best.
Keegan Bradley
Bradley was a captain's pick based on his fiery persona and his play with Mickelson. But Bradley/Mickelson won only one point this time around, basically getting lucky in the opening fourball match, as Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia were way off their games. Bradley was blown out in the deciding singles match to Jamie Donaldson, falling to 0-2 in Ryder Cup singles. A fiery attitude is one thing, but you have to back it up. He also showed an inability to close during the PGA Tour season, and it's beginning to look as if his 2011 PGA Championship was an aberration.
Victor Dubuisson
As a Ryder Cup rookie, Dubuisson won both his matches alongside Graeme McDowell, then halved the final singles match against Zach Johnson. This will serve him well in futures years, and he already proved to be a quality player this past year, with top-10s in the final two majors and a runner-up spot in the World Match Play.
Matt Kuchar
Kuchar lost with three partners before defeating an overmatched Thomas Bjorn in singles. He just doesn't seem to have a lot of heart and, while he he's won six tournaments of the past six years, you need that heart to win majors. He clearly has ability, but you begin to wonder how much longer that will carry him on itself.
Hunter Mahan
Mahan parlayed one week at the exact right time to catch Tom Watson's eye, winning The Barclays after a horrible season. Known more for his chunked chip in the deciding singles match against McDowell in the 2010 Cup than any other shot in his career, he's now known for two chunked chips. He hit another stinker on 18 in blowing a big lead to halve his match with Rose. Mahan has got so much scar tissue now, I wouldn't draft him at almost any price.
