The 2023 Ryder Cup is finished, with Europe coming out victorious over the United States 16.5 to 11.5 after the weekend. US Captain Zach Johnson has been at the front of blame for the US's poor performance and eventual loss.
The hosts came straight out of the blocks on Friday, with the United States failing to turn up until late on Saturday amid talk of in-fighting and disagreements over payments.
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Zach Johnson offered Spieth poor advice at the 2o23 Ryder Cup
The cracks have been there for all to see and another example occurred on Saturday evening, when US captain Zach Johnson was heard issuing words of advice to Jordan Spieth on the 16th hole.
Spieth and Justin Thomas were trailing by three to Robert McIntyre and Justin Rose, and needed to win the hole to have any chance of drawing the match.
However, with Spieth wanting to use a driver, Johnson advised him to use a three-wood, with Spieth finally agreeing before driving it into the water.
With the US desperate Zach Johnson makes his first coaching move, convincing Spieth to switch from driver to 3 wood, hilarity ensues. pic.twitter.com/WGwWeLMaa2
— LIV Golf Enthusiast (@LIVGolfEnth) September 30, 2023
Speaking to reporters after Saturday's fourballs, Zach Johnson provided some clarity on what happened in that exchange with Spieth.
That was a situation where we thought it was a pretty pivotal hole; so I was trying to make my way there as much as I could given the status of matches, kind of like a par three. As the individual on the team that can relay advice, I was there giving them data. Just pure data. That was it. Like, this is what we've seen; this is where it is; this is what he did in front of you; this is what he did in front of you, etc., etc.
That's it. He did change clubs. You're right. He did. I'm not telling those boys what to hit, I can assure you of that. These guys are on the United States Ryder Cup Team. I'll just put it that way.
Ryder Cup 2023: Wild Saturday in Rome
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It was just the latest incident at Rome's Marco Simone golf club that led to the US team being roundly mocked by European fans. Later in the day, supporters were seen waving hats in the air, in reference to Patrick Cantlay allegedly refusing to wear an American hat in protest at a lack of payment for players.
Hunter Mahan on world feed going all in on wondering why Spieth hit 3-wood instead of driver on 16 -- with input from Zach -- and then hitting in the water. "I'm not sure I made myself clear how dumfounded I am by that decision.. . I just have no idea what was going on there.''
— Bob Harig (@BobHarig) September 30, 2023
US golfer Hunter Mahan also spoke out on the exchange between Jordan Spieth and Zach Johnson, saying on the live world feed that "I'm not sure I made myself clear how dumfounded I am by that decision.. . I just have no idea what was going on there.''
Earlier on Saturday, the US did pull back some of Europe's substantial lead, as Sam Burns and Collin Morikawa won their match, as did Max Homa and Brian Harmon.
Then, Matt Fitzpatrick and Rory McIlroy lost to Cantlay and Wyndham Clark, meaning that hope remains for the United States ahead of Sunday.
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