Afternoon Momentum Shift Puts Bewildered Team USA in Trouble at 2014 Ryder Cup

GLENEAGLES, Scotland — It was golf’s version of a Hail Mary pass. Or a bottom of the ninth home run. Or, really, a kick in the head.

The United States grabbed control in the opening morning of Ryder Cup 2014 and then, stunningly, painfully, lost control in the afternoon.

The first of three days of play on Friday, a cold wind ripping out of the Highlands, America looking so good, so surprising, but—as quickly as a 30-foot put can drop—looking so out of sorts.

The U.S. had the Europeans off balance. Then the Europeans had the U.S. in disbelief.

Maybe because American captain Tom Watson benched the wrong people, the rookies Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed, who in the morning linked to win their match, 5-and-4, over Stephen Gallacher and the supposedly unbeatable Ian Poulter.

Maybe because the Euros in sum, indeed top to bottom have better, more poised players and the longer the tournament goes on the more that function will follow form.

“I take the blame,” said Watson of not using Spieth and Reed. “I had some doubt making that decision. I assessed that even though they won in the morning, there was a better team in the afternoon.

“When I told Patrick, I said, ‘How does that make you feel?’ He said, ‘Well, I’m all right with it.’ Then he said, ‘Well, really captain, I’m not all right with it.’ There are certain personal things you look at. It was a decision my vice captains and I felt strongly about I had to give it a go. It was a hard choice.”

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His choice on Saturday for the morning fourball is to sit both Mickelson and Bradley. Spieth-Reed are to face Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer. Also to sit is Webb Simpson, who persuaded Watson at the beginning of September to make him a captain’s pick for the team.

In the morning, Friday, Simpson and Bubba Watson, failing to make a single birdie, were crushed by Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson, 5-and-4. “Webb,” conceded Watson, “didn’t play very well.”

Two years ago, Europe came back the third day, in singles, and the rally, noting the Chicago area venue where it took place, was labeled “The Miracle of Medinah.” Perhaps, in recognition of the collapse at this course some 50 miles northeast of Glasgow, we describe it as “The Gag at Gleneagles.”

America, the underdog, had a 2.5 to 1.5 margin after the morning fourball, or better-ball, in which the ball played by each man counts.

But in the afternoon, at foursomes, or alternate shots—when one golfer drives and the other then hits the same ball, alternating until someone in the pairing holes out—America collapsed.

The Euros won three of the four matches and halved the fourth.

So after Day 1, the favored Euros were in front, 5-3—even with the world’s No. 1-ranked golfer, Rory McIlroy, and No. 3 Sergio Garcia combining to pick up a mere half point.

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“We were outplayed,” said Watson. Absolutely were they outplayed.

“They (Europe) got it done this afternoon. I have to give them credit.”

Yes, America could respond, jump back in front Saturday when there is another round of fourball and another of better ball. Yet the probability is McIlroy will return to form and 44-year-old Phil Mickelson will struggle as he did in the afternoon.

He and Keegan Bradley, who were 3-0 at Medinah and won their morning fourball over McIlroy-Garcia—if barely on Mickelson’s birdie putt on 18—were stomped by Frenchman Victor Dubuisson and Graeme McDowell, 3-and-2, in the afternoon.

“It was a day of ebbs and flows,” said Watson. He is 65, a U.S. captain for a second time, 21 years later. He is Midwest serious, growing up and residing in Kansas City. He is an eternal optimist.

“I told the team,” he relayed to the media, “we’re only two points down. That’s two matches. We have a lot to play. It’s like a football game in the second quarter. But I am disappointed.”

He should be. His players should be. In effect, this is a road game for the U.S. The team seemed to have momentum. It seemed to have quieted the boisterous crowd, which, in costume and with chants and cheers, was more like that of a soccer match than a golf tournament.

But it got overtaken.

“Sure they’re disappointed they didn’t get it done,” said Watson. “They’ve been disappointed before.”

Seven out of the last nine Ryder Cups, to be accurate.

“These guys are great players. I believe in them, and they believe in themselves.”

Belief is one thing. Success is another. The U.S. has to show it knows how to win. Not lose.

Art Spander, winner of the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism from the PGA of America, is covering his seventh Ryder Cup. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand.