Phil Mickelson outburst against Tom Watson sparks US golf overhaul

The PGA of America announced plans this week to overhaul the captain’s selection process. It is much needed, for the US cannot afford to have a repeat of Gleneagles, writes John McAuley.

Phil Mickelson, left, of the United States talks with captain Tom Watson on the 6th tee during the Morning Fourballs of the 2014 Ryder Cup on the PGA Centenary course at the Gleneagles Hotel on SeptemShow more

As post-mortems go, this was particularly gruesome.

Phil Mickelson had prompted the public flogging immediately following the eighth Ryder Cup defeat for the United States in the past 10 events, then details leaked of an uncomfortable Saturday night in the visitors’ team room at Gleneagles. Tom Watson was taking bullets.

In an attempt to stem the bleeding, Watson was forced at the weekend to offer a contrite assessment of his captaincy. The five-point loss fell at his door, he said. He made the calls and so the buck stopped with him.

Yes, Watson made mistakes – resting rocket pairing Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth on the first afternoon, sitting out Mickelson and Keegan Bradley on Day 2 – but the players were plainly not good enough. As Watson stated in that team press conference, the Americans simply must play better. Fact.

From the wreckage, though, comes real opportunity. The PGA of America announced plans this week to overhaul the captain’s selection process. It is much needed, for the US cannot afford to have a repeat of Gleneagles.

A task force, comprising former captains, PGA Tour players and officials, will carry out a detailed dissection of current procedures and a fresh approach for future Ryder Cups undertaken. It will cover all aspects, not solely the captaincy, and will require time.

Finally, an ugly situation has provoked a necessary facelift. Lefty’s outburst was unpalatable, but it has served its purpose.

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