Champions Tour: Tom Watson talks Ryder Cup at the Toshiba Classic

ByBernie D'Amato|

Photo Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports.

At the pre-tournament press conference for the Toshiba Classic, U.S. Captain Tom Watson spoke about the upcoming Ryder Cup in September. This was the second time I have listened to Captain Watson answer questions about the Ryder Cup, and I am convinced he is a winner who will do everything he can to bring home the Cup.

Tom Watson captained the victorious U.S. team in 1993, and said he wanted to captain the team again for nearly 20 years. However, Watson won’t be reminiscing about the ’93 Ryder Cup, he wants to beat the Europeans after their unbelievable victory in 2012, “It was a tremendous comeback by the European team, and yeah, we have something to prove. If that’s the only thing I have to say to the team, I’ll say, remember 2012, remember 2012, what are you going to do about it?”

The assistant captains, Andy North and Raymond Floyd, will help the players deal with the pressure of playing in a highly anticipated event. Watson said, “You don’t need a friend up there, you need somebody who’s been there to tell you what it’s all about. To help direct you, and to say these are the things to expect.”

The top-nine on the points list will earn a spot on the U.S. team, and Captain Watson will pick the final three players. There are three potential first timers on the American side who are currently in the top-nine: Jimmy Walker, Patrick Reed, and Harris English. If Walker, Reed, and English make the team, there will be a determined captain waiting for them.

Watson made the objective clear, “I want the team to win the Ryder Cup back. I want to do it with style and grace.”

U.S. points list. An estimated 4,637 points* are needed to make the top-nine:

1. Jimmy Walker – 3,862

2. Dustin Johnson – 3,760

3. Bubba Watson – 3,019

4. Patrick Reed – 3,009

5. Jason Dufner – 2,574

6. Phil Mickelson – 2,537

7. Harris English – 2,520

8. Zach Johnson – 2,365

9. Webb Simpson – 2,201

10. Ryan Moore – 2,161

11. Chris Kirk – 2,026

12. Kevin Stadler – 1,674

13. Jordan Spieth – 1,622

14. Jim Furyk – 1,335

15. Hunter Mahan – 1,324

35. Tiger Woods – 764

*Ted Bishop, President of the PGA, is credited with the statistic.

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