When it came to drama, this year's Ryder Cup has had more off the course than on it, with Phil Mickelson going on a one man finger-pointing mission during the US team's press conference this Sunday evening.
Mickelson wasted no time in hitting out at US captain Tom Watson, prompting one of the most tense golf pressers in a long long time. Speaking about their defeat, big Phil said 'We had a great formula in 2008, I don't know why we strayed from it,' sparing no ammo on his captain Watson, sitting just a few feet away.
He continued to wax lyrical about the 08 captain Paul Azinger, saying 'he got everyone invested.'
His comments sparked plenty of reaction among the media in attendance; not least Newstalk's Joe Molloy and Nathan Murphy.
Phil is going for Watson here. This is terrible
— Joe Molloy (@MolloyJoe) September 28, 2014
Watson is just staring straight ahead with a slight grin — Joe Molloy (@MolloyJoe) September 28, 2014
Phil: "No player was involved in any decision this week."
— Joe Molloy (@MolloyJoe) September 28, 2014
Fury asked to comment on Phil comments.. "Geeee thanks..." Declines to comment — Joe Molloy (@MolloyJoe) September 28, 2014
Fowler just looked at Spieth. Spieth shakes his head. Pretty sure he mouths 'I don't believe it'
— Joe Molloy (@MolloyJoe) September 28, 2014
Fowler just looked at Spieth. Spieth shakes his head. Pretty sure he mouths 'I don't believe it' — Joe Molloy (@MolloyJoe) September 28, 2014
A lot of glances exchanged between the players as they walk out. Watson straight out the door. Phil hangs back
— Joe Molloy (@MolloyJoe) September 28, 2014
This guy. Love him but there was no need for that, in that way. And he had this stupid grin on his face afterwards pic.twitter.com/6r9IZBHtUy — Joe Molloy (@MolloyJoe) September 28, 2014
That was possibly the most absorbing press conference I've ever been at. USA players visibly shocked as Phil throws Watson under a bus.
— Nathan Murphy (@nathanmurf) September 28, 2014
Others were equally shocked.
Electric US press conference. Phil Mickelson throws Tom Watson under the bus. — Paul Kimmage (@PaulKimmage) September 28, 2014
Idea for next Ryder Cup: Forget the matches and just stage a three-day press conference. This is way more entertaining than the golf.
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelGC) September 28, 2014
Pretty incredible, this.. Watson refers to 'difference of opinion' with Mickelson but he has been publicly dissed, basically. — Ewan Murray (@mrewanmurray) September 28, 2014
While Mickelson also denied he'd be running for the captaincy in 2016, the cynic in me thinks his comments were not just sour grapes over being dropped but are the beginning of a move for such a bid. Watch this space.
