Focus on players, not captain for Adare Ryder Cup, insists US legend Tom Watson

Tom Watson reckons it’s more down to the US players than the man who will be captaining them in next year’s Ryder Cup at Adare Manor.

Watson was the last captain to lead the Americans to victory on European soil, having achieved the feat at The Belfry in 1993.

Reappointed for the 2014 match, he then lost to a European side captained by Paul McGinley.

Tiger Woods had been offered the chance to be the US for the centenary edition in Co Limerick, but he is now out of the equation after “stepping away” from golf to seek treatment following his latest car crash.

The question now is who will get the job and try to stop Luke Donald from creating history as the first captain to win three contests in a row.

Former Open champion Justin Leonard has thrown his hat in the ring while Steve Stricker, a winning captain at Whistling Straits in 2021, is also believed to be interested in the role.

“It comes down to the team and how they play,” said Watson, speaking after taking part in the Honorary Starters Ceremony on Thursday for the 90th Masters along with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. 

“That determines who wins and who loses the Ryder Cup. Captain is certainly a part of that, but you put the onus on the players themselves.”

READ NEXT: ‘I cannot wait for Adare Manor to come’: New vice captain named for 2027 Ryder Cup

Referring to Europe retaining the trophy with a 15-13 win at Bethpage Black, where Keegan Bradley was at the helm for the US, the eight-time major winner added: “This last Ryder Cup, it was an amazing event for three days. 

“The first two days, it was a whitewash, and the last day it almost became another whitewash to the other way.  The competition is based on the players. The players perform, you win. If they don't perform, you lose.

“The captain can do so much, but it really goes down to the players. Basically, the captain is there to organise, create the teams - that's the most important job of the captain - and to be there when it's necessary to say something to the player. That's the job of the captain. 

“As far as who should be the Ryder Cup captain, that's really out of my arena. I don't really have much of an opinion on that”