American captain Tom Watson delivered a point blank statement upon arrival at Gleneagles declaring this week’s showdown in Perthshire is a ‘redemption trip’ and has targeted both Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter as Europe’s danger men at Gleneagles.
Watson and his side just before 10am into Edinburgh Airport on a special British Airways charter flight before being transported straight to the stunning Gleneagles Hotel.
And many of Watson’s players, including Phil Mickelson, Keegan Bradley, Jim Furyk and Matt Kuchar, were on the losing American side in 2012, dubbed the “Miracle of Medinah”, when Europe rallied to recover from a 10-6 deficit and earn a remarkable 141/2- 131/2 victory on the final day.
“I know that our team is going to be totally focussed on bringing the Cup back and I am setting the stage for that.
“You look at the European team and see Rory McIlory and Justin Rose and you see they are loaded with quality. But when the matches start on Friday morning there is going to be some quality play going on.
“So we’ve come here for a purpose and we are hoping to fulfill that purpose.”
And key to that purpose Watson said would be taking out two players he sees as pivotal in the European Team – Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter. It had been Poulter’s birdie putt on the 16th late on Saturday afternoon in suburban Chicago that helped inspire Europe to the ‘Miracle of Medinah’.
“When you beat the stud on the other side it gives a boost to your team. But the bottom line is that if each of your players wins more than they lose, we win as a team,” added Watson.
“That is what I have told our team.
“Right now we have got a lot of players to look at on the European team and Ian Poulter with his record of 80% victory over the series of matches is certainly one. We would like to reduce that.”
And Watson was somewhat surprised at the decision by Rickie Fowler to have a USA -theme haircut: “I like it! It brings a spirit to the team.”
* All photographs www.rydercup.com