Ed. note: I started writing this post before Rosaforte’s article with the breaking news was published.
Watson saluting the fans at St. Andrews at The Open in '10 (it was quite poignant)
If you woke up this morning and thought David Toms or Larry Nelson or anyone else not named Tom Watson were the favorites to be tapped as the 2014 U.S. Ryder Cup captain, you may have changed your mind by now.
While the PGA of America won’t make an official announcement until Thursday at 8:30am EST on The Today Show (under the radar, per usual), industry insiders are putting their money on five-time Open Champ Tom Watson, who captained the last American team to win on foreign soil in ’93. Phrases like the PGA is “thinking outside the box” or “shaking it up” have been tossed around by respected journalists.
At a luncheon in New York on Tuesday, new PGA of America president Ted Bishop teased the formal announcement and said, “We’ve done something a little bit different this year.”
Ah, the future sounds promising! — I like this guy already. But seriously, it’s about time the suits in Palm Beach Gardens threw a curve ball and ruffled some feathers (over something besides transportation issues and logistical nightmares). The shocking loss at Medinah in October might have been the wake-up call, not to mention the U.S. has lost 7 of the last 9 Ryder Cups to Europe.
Change!
Until today I wasn’t sure if the PGA had it in them. Even when I read that Watson said he’d like to captain another Ryder Cup team last week at the Australian Open — “It would be a great honor if I got tapped on the shoulder. ’93 was the last time I’ve been to a Ryder Cup. I’d like to go back as captain. That would be cool.” — I didn’t think much of it.
After all, it seemed like a lock that David Toms, the likeable, politically correct player in his mid-40s with a PGA Championship title, would be Davis Love III’s successor. I mean, Love hypothetically referred to Toms as the next captain during a press conference at the McGladrey Classic. My ears certainly perked up at the time, but when Love was pressed by a reporter, Love said his “bet” was on Toms.
Earlier today, GolfChannel.com’s Jason Sobel reported that neither David Toms or Larry Nelson had spoken to the PGA about the job, which was rather telling considering the announcement is in less than two days.
Then Tim Rosaforte tweeted: “My reporting has Tom Watson as next Ryder Cup captain. PGA wants to shake it up. TW captained winning team in ’93. Won’t lead by committee.”
Oh, what’s this? *Breaking news* midway through post…
Rosaforte followed up his tweet and penned a GolfDigest.com report, saying his sources tell him the plan is to pick Watson.
It makes perfect sense. The 2014 Ryder Cup will be held at Gleneagles in Scotland, a country where Watson has had great success. It’s not the easiest to earn golfing respect from those across the pond — unless you’ve won five Open Championship titles. He’s a demigod and worshiped by fans in the UK (which will create an intriguing atmosphere at the matches and Watson’s stature can only help the U.S.).
It’s hard to explain the reverence he receives ever year at the Open Championship from the crowd. I remember hearing a commotion in 2010 at St. Andrews and I ran outside the media tent to the 18th hole just in time to see the fans paying tribute to Watson as he played the final hole.
The cheers and support were unlike anything I’d ever seen — it wasn’t like the crazy roars that Tiger Woods gets in the U.S. or anyone else. I still recall the magical feeling that encompassed the crowd, while Watson putted out on the 18th. I’m getting the same goosebumps and chills I felt that afternoon just thinking (and writing) about it. In the following two Opens I covered at RSG and Royal Lytham, it’s been the same type of deal (but a little less intense since the second round in ’10 might have been Watson’s last Open Champ round at St. Andrews).
Watson even seems “different” when he’s in the U.K. Partly, I think because of his fondness and good memories and also because he knows he can still be competitive on links-style courses, whereas it’s much more difficult for him to keep up with the young guns at, say, the Masters.
Who better to inspire confidence in the U.S. team in Scotland than Watson? Exactly. Plus, he’d never allow for rain gear malfunctions.
Watson also isn’t afraid to speak his mind, and as I mentioned, he captained the last American team to win on foreign ground at the ’93 matches at Belfry. (I recently re-read John Feinstein’s book, “A Good Walk Spoiled,” which recounts the incredible matches that year. I was going to type some of it out, but it’s getting late, so I’ll save that for later.
The only “issue” Watson might encounter is his history with Tiger Woods. After Tiger’s sex scandal, Watson criticized Woods for his behavior on and off the golf course. Since then he hasn’t minced words when asked for his opinions on the 14-time major champ.
But I think Watson and Woods can and will put aside their personal difference and behave like adults for a week. Just because they don’t necessarily agree with on moral fronts, it doesn’t mean they don’t respect each others’ accomplishments and abilities on the golf course.
The Europeans certainly have shown that it’s possible to come together as a team despite their past history. Ian Poulter and Colin Montgomery aren’t exactly fond of each other, but they didn’t let it become a problem or distraction at the 2010 Ryder Cup. (I’m pretty sure Poulter wasn’t the only one who has history with Monty.)
Just a few months ago, the soft-spoken Peter Hanson voiced his disdain when European captain Jose Maria Olazabal benched him for both of Saturday’s matches. Hanson and Olazabal exchanged some heated words that evening. Martin Kaymer, who made the winning putt to clinch the miraculous comeback, was also upset he didn’t play either of the matches the previous day. But things turned out just alright, didn’t they? At the end of the day, these guys were able to suck it up and respect their captain even if they disagreed with him.
Not everyone on every team is best friends, but in recent years they (usually) manage to come together and get along for a week. It’s what grown-ups do and it’s really not that much to ask.
[*Recommended reading: The SI Golf Group convened on Tuesday afternoon for an "emergency" PGA Tour Confidential roundtable to discuss the pending announcement. Check it out.]
Once again, we find the media overstepping the bounds of common decency. I don’t care that Rosaforte, or any of the other members of the golf media who patrol this great game, might actually have the right name.
This announcement is something that SHOULD have been left to the PGA of America to make. This was THEIR thunder. This was THEIR surprise to release to the fans of golf and The Ryder Cup.
People like Rosaforte think that this is “investigative journalism”. He couldn’t be more wrong. The PGA Tour didn’t break any laws. They didn’t try to undermine anybody in the golf business. There is no corruption that needs to be brought into the light of day.
No – this is a member of the media putting himself above the rest of society. This is the media letting us know that THEY are more important than the people who actually are the news.
Tell you what, Tim, I’ll find out something important in YOUR life, perhaps something you wanted to surprise your wife or family with, or vice versa, and let the cat out of the bag before you or they wanted that information known.
The question is not CAN you figure out who will be the next Ryder Cup captain – the question in DECENT society is SHOULD you announce it before the PGA has a chance to announce it.
I find people who do things like this beneath contempt.
Court is right. Was this REALLY necessary? Were we all losing sleep at night wondering who, oh who, will it be? Rosie should re-think some things.
Seriously? Reporting and breaking news is Rosaforte’s job. If he finds out who the captain is from his sources and sits on it, then he’s not doing what he’s paid to do.
Whatever, I dislike the choice. I’m not a fan of authoritarian coaches in sports, especially when dealing with adults. If they were going to go with someone that age, I would have chosen Nelson, a past captain I would have taken Azinger. But then again my first choice would have been the guy who has captained the US to two team victories in the last 4 yrs (Freddie).
That being said we are overstating the importance of captains. If Rose doesn’t hole a 35ft putt, then Davis is a hero.
I dislike the choice as well – the Americans will probably win at Gleneagles with Watson as captain, but I am a fan of the Euros.
A softie Couples-led team would be eaten alive by the Euros. The Presidents Cup is a hit & giggle. The Ryder Cup is war – that doesn’t fit Fred.
Shoshanna – YES, seriously. What court says, and I concur, is that IF that’s part of his job, then his job needs to be redefined. It’s just plain rude.
I’m conflicted here… on one hand I would like to see someone who hasnt had a chance to lead the team -like Nelson. However on the other hand I agreee with Shoshana that Freddie would have been my pick. Clearly the guys respond well to Freddie’s hands-off approach and to be fair he has never been captain of the Ryder Cup team.
I hate this Watson pick. It is like the old guard at the PGA just has to live in past. I loved the excitement and energy that Paul brought to Louisville. There are so many younger guys that are deserving of this honor so why does the PGA have to recycle the old legends. With all due respect to Watson, him being in Scotland or not will have very little effect on the results.
I’m sure the players would never say it publicly, but I would bet they would prefer having someone younger and more in touch in the locker room.
Steph … I asked this before but why is the “comment box” so small?
The selection of Watson is about MONEY! Isn’t everything these days? How to quantify, how to monetize?
We all know the ‘EuroZone’ is experiencing some financial problems. Take a look at the European Tour, half of their tournaments are now in Asia, the Middle East, or Africa. This isn’t ideal, but it’s about money and going the sustainable route. In the Ryder Cup’s case, corporate dollars are going to be more difficult than ever with the Euro’s tough economy. Sorry, but with all due respect to Larry Nelson and David Toms, those two are just not the home run hitters the PGA needs to showcase to generate hype for the event. Watson is beloved over there. He’s a legend. He has the business aspects of the Ryder Cup covered as best as anyone could. As for the golf side, it’s all speculative. Whether you tell Tiger and Stricker to play harder, better, hit it straighter, longer, etc., or tell them nothing at all; a captain’s job is somewhat about motivation, and mostly luck.
Shosh – I would agree with you if the PGA was accused of breaking a law or was under suspicion of something – but this is a good announcement. This is something exciting that they kept under wraps for a year.
All this tells me is that Rosaforte can’t be trusted with anything – I wouldn’t be disappointed if he was cut off by everyone for interviews from here on out.
“Authoritarian leadership” ? You’re saying this based on what – a rumor somewhere ? Something a member of the media wrote ? He’s not coming to your house to tell you how to do things – he’s heading up a golf team. The US Ryder Cup team has had all makes and models of captain since Europe stepped up and started winning more than losing. Paul Azinger was incredibly authoritarian – no complaints about him. Tom Lehman – all kinds of complaints – he lost.