Phil Mickelson’s Harsh Criticism Failed to Ignite a War of Words as Golf Legend Tom Watson Remained Unfazed Due to a Major Reason After 2014 Ryder Cup Defeat

Phil Mickelson is very well-known for his controversial and challenging statements in interviews and press conferences. The six-time major winner has millions of fans across the world for his unmatchable personality. However, there was a time when former PGA Tour player Tom Watson said something that put Phil Mickelson in silence.

Phil Mickelson’s comments about Tom Watson from the 2014 Ryder Cup press conference

Phil Mickelson is one of the most renowned players in the golf community. His skills on the field are incomparable. But so are his often controversial statements. And there was a time when Mickelson’s words led to the world’s most awkward press conference ever. It was after the Ryder Cup in 2014 that Mickelson decided to blame the team’s captain, Tom Watson, for losing the tournament.

After the huge loss at Gleneagles, Mickelson took things to the post-game press conference where he explained why exactly they lost the match. And as he spoke, both Mickelson and Tom Watson were in the view of the world. But his statements reflected as if he was unaware of Watson’s presence in the conference room.

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Talking to the media, Mickelson talked about the pod system used by Paul Azinger, the 2008 U.S. team captain. And continuing about the same, he said that Watson should have gone through with the same formula. But trying to cover up for his words, Mickelson tried to explain in the ‘Classic lefty way’ and said, “I’m sorry you’re taking it that way. I’m just talking about what Paul Azinger did to help us play our best”. Watson didn’t answer back and sat there quietly until he was on a podcast with ‘Off The Ball’.

Tom Watson’s response to Phil Mickelson

In his response to what Mickelson said about his ways of reading the team, Watson said, “He came up with his opinion on an answer that I really had no response to and I kept quiet at that time,”

“Phil subsequently said to me not too many years ago, actually last year, he apologized to me for those comments.”

But Mickelson was stunned to hear what Watson said to him in response to his apology. The former Ryder Cup captain said, “Phil, it’s over, whatever was between us it’s over.” He was asked why he didn’t respond publicly about the same, and Watson said it was no use. The golfer was aware of his talent and his skills and felt there was no need to speak and explain his decisions to the world.

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