Ryder Cup: 10 Biggest Choke Jobs That Led To U.S. Team's Loss
Despite a great effort, the United States came up just a bit short at the Ryder Cup. Led by great efforts by Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and most importantly Rickie Fowler, the Americans made a late run at keeping the cup they won last year but it just fell a tiny bit short.
However, looking back at the entire event, there were players that plain no-showed for parts of the event, decisions by Corey Pavin that were puzzling at the time and even more glaring now in hindsight. Inside are 10 things that helped down America's run at a repeat at the Ryder Cup.
No. 10: Choice Of Rain Suits
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As the rain poured down on the course at the start of the Ryder Cup, the American team came out to play looking like a cheap high school track team, certainly not a team representing the United States.
The Americans wore these hideous rain suits that didn't even keep the players dry, which should probably happen when you're wearing something for that purpose and that purpose only.
It was so bad that Tiger Woods didn't wear his, because it simply didn't fit him. Then in an even more embarrassing move, the United States had to buy new rain gear from the merchandise tent. They had nothing on them to let you know this was an American team on the course.
Nothing spells success like being soaked through in the rain while you're opponent is relatively dry.
No. 9: Lack Of Adjustments
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As the Ryder Cup progressed, Corey Pavin decided the best way to reach success was to keep ramming a round peg into a square hole.
Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson just didn't work well together in their first pairing so Pavin kept them together and they took it on the chin for a second time. Pavin made similar moves with other pairings and it just didn't pay off as he was out maneuvered my Colin Mongomerie for most of the event.
Pavin was too stubborn and it hurt his team in the end.
No. 8: No Consultation
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After Corey Pavin was named captain and all the way up to the Ryder Cup, he never talked to Paul Azinger, who helped lead the United States to a Ryder Cup win two years ago as the captain of the team.
Azinger used a unique approach involving science to help win the event for America yet Pavin didn't think Azinger could give him anything of use and didn't talk to him at all. That reeks of stubbornness and arrogance and it hurt Pavin.
I'm sure if he could do it again, he'd probably give Azinger a call.
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No. 7: Lack Of Emotion From Pavin
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After the Americans got totally dominated yesterday, only managing half a point, you'd think that Corey Pavin would say something publicly to help fire up the team, to help rally them back into the event.
All Pavin said to the media was "they know what they have to do." and "we have a chance."
Wow. That sure made me fired up and ready to go. If you ask me, the players today relied more on pride and self-motivation than anything Pavin did. Your captain is supposed to lead and you might as well have had anyone there because he just seemed dull and uninspiring as a captain.
No. 6: Pavin's Controlling Nature
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Between the aforementioned lack of contact with Paul Azinger, and his banning Twitter before the event, Corey Pavin really put a stranglehold on the American team with his controlling nature.
I know it's just Twitter, but I'm not sure telling your players what they can and can't do is a recipe for success, especially when it's something as trivial as Twitter. The European team on the other hand, used it and even took jabs at the American team with it.
Twitter is a tool that athletes have used to be closer to its fans and I think it would have been nice to use for the players this year. Either way, being a control freak isn't really a recipe for success.
No. 5: Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker On Sunday
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While Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker did have some success in their first outings as a duo, winning two up in the first session and four and three in the second, they weren't pretty victories and there was plenty to be concerned about.
However, they were paired together again and they were demolished, a six and five loss that was just a totally embarrassing finish and was the biggest blow in an awful day for the United States.
It was obvious that they weren't playing well together despite some results, and it got ugly yesterday.
No. 4: Dustin Johnson Pre-Monday
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Dustin Johnson was a total disaster for the United States before his win today in singles competition.
Johnson did not win any of his pairs matchups while being teamed with Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk. Nothing was going right for Johnson and it was looking grim for him until he turned it around today.
He needed to step up for the United States and he was a no show for the first three sessions of the event. That's inexcusable and very disappointing.
No. 3: Hunter Mahan On Monday
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It came down to Hunter Mahan today and frankly, he came up small.
He was given plenty of opportunities to make it close and he just didn't do it. Mahan was not making birdie puts and some of his drives were off and at the worst possible time. His chip on 17 wasn't much better either. That was an unfortunate choke job and just symptomatic of his day.
Mahan had the fortunes of the United States on his shoulders and he crumbled.
No. 2: Phil Mickelson Pre-Monday
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The Ryder Cup has never really been Phil Mickelson's thing and it showed this weekend.
Mickelson also lost all three of his pairing matchups, losing with the aforementioned Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler. He really struggled with his short game and he just looked totally lost out there until today when he dominated his matchup in a quiet fashion and got the win.
As one of the better players on the team, there needed to be a better showing from Lefty.
No. 1: Stewart Cink
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Stewart Cink had the Ryder Cup on his club a couple of times, even if he didn't know it, and it cost the United States.
Cink was one-up late in the match and missed that on a gimme putt. Cink followed that up with a couple of chances that he had to regain the lead that went by the wayside. They were putts he should have made and he didn't.
Instead, Cink halved with Rory McIlroy, who did everything in his power to give the point to Cink and he didn't take it. If he takes the point, the teams tie and as the defending champion, America keeps the cup.
Cink choked, plain and simple.
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