It has not taken long for cracks to appear in the united front which the US Ryder Cup team attempted to portray following Sunday's seven-point defeat to Europe.
At a post-event press conference on Sunday, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed were both asked about the decision to not pair them together for the tournament. Speith and Reed have formed successful partnerships in previous Ryder Cups. Playing with Spieth had been Reed's first choice.
"We were totally involved in every decision that was made," said Speith. "Jim [Furyk] allowed it to be a player-friendly environment."
Team captain Furyk also said the decision was his.
In an interview with the New York Times later on Sunday evening, that was an assessment with which Reed totally disagreed. Reed believes the opinions of players, apart from that of a select group, were mostly ignored.
"The issue’s obviously with Jordan not wanting to play with me," said the Masters champion.
I don’t have any issue with Jordan. When it comes right down to it, I don’t care if I like the person I’m paired with or if the person likes me as long as it works and it sets up the team for success. He and I know how to make each other better. We know how to get the job done.
As that question was being asked at the press conference about Spieth and Reed not playing together, Reed was staring directly at Spieth.
"I was looking at him like I was about to light the room up like Phil in ’14," said Reed referencing Phil Mickelson's criticism of Tom Watson's captaincy following Europe's win at the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
Reed was instead paired with Tiger Woods for the tournament. The two played and lost heavily in the Friday and Saturday fourballs to Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood. Neither played in either of the foursomes. Reed did win his singles match against Tyrrell Hatton on Sunday.
"For somebody as successful in the Ryder Cup as I am, I don’t think it’s smart to sit me twice," said Reed.
Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
