United States Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson called for his players to use redemption for motivation at Gleneagles this week but many appear not to have received the memo.
Seven of Watson’s team were complicit in the collapse at Medinah two years ago when the hosts surrendered a 10-4 lead to lose in Chicago and the 65-year-old thinks now is the time to put things right.
However, according to many of his senior players it is not something which has been discussed at any length. Jim Furyk, preparing for his ninth outing in the event, insists Medinah has been blocked out of their memories as they focus on the present.
“I would say that it’s been mentioned but I wouldn’t say there’s been really any discussion about it, if that makes sense,” said the 44-year-old.
“I don’t think I’ve heard more than about 20 to 30 seconds on it.”
Zach Johnson is searching for his first Ryder Cup victory at the fourth attempt but dismissed the idea there was a revenge element hovering in the background of their preparations.
“I’m not suggesting that there’s not some validity to the whole redemption thing,” he said. “I don’t know where it started or who came up with it. I don’t think that’s necessarily our approach. That was two years ago.
“My motivation isn’t because we lost two years ago, my motivation is because I’m playing in the Ryder Cup. I’m still upset that we lost but I’m not here to redeem myself or the team.”
Matt Kuchar claims the Americans’ poor record, having lost seven of the last nine, and being on European soil puts pressure on their hosts.
“I think we come in here as perceived underdogs but everybody here thinks they have got every bit the same chance the home team has,” he said. “I don’t think there’s a revenge nature in the game of golf.”
Hunter Mahan returns to the Ryder Cup after four years with personal demons to exorcise after losing to Graeme McDowell in the nail-biting final match at Celtic Manor.
“It’s painful when you lose and it’s unbelievable when you win,” he said, having tasted victory in 2008.
“Redemption is a word that some guys have thrown out and it kind of feels like that. I think the US has been kicked in the teeth for a while now and I think a lot of the guys are motivated.”
Watson insists his team is well mentally and physically but called for fewer events in the run-up to the Ryder Cup.
“I am concerned about how much these players are playing before they reach the Ryder Cup,” Watson said. “These players are playing seven out of eight tournaments or eight out of nine. They are tired.”
Watson also says five-time major winner Phil Mickelson, in his 10th Ryder Cup, and Furyk have lead roles this time due to experience.
The US team contains three rookies in Jordan Speith, Jimmy Walker and Patrick Reed while Mahan, Rickie Fowler, Webb Simpson and Keegan Bradley are competing for only the second time.
“They are the veterans. The players look up to them,” Watson added. “They have the platform a lot and that’s a really good thing.”
