US stars reject captain’s talk of redemption

United States Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson called for his players to use redemption for motivation at Gleneagles this week, but many appear not to have received the memo.

Seven of the team were complicit in the collapse at Medinah two years ago when the hosts surrendered a 10-4 lead to lose in Chicago and Watson thinks now is the time to put things right.

However, according to many of his senior players it is not something which has even been mentioned.

“It’s golf that motivates me. I’m not worried about two years ago,” said double Masters champion Bubba Watson, appearing in his third Ryder Cup.

“If I did that, I’d be a terrible golfer because I lost a lot.”

Veteran Jim Furyk, preparing for his ninth outing in the event, insists Medinah has been blocked out of their memories as they focus on the present.

“I would say that it’s been mentioned but I wouldn’t say there’s been really any discussion about it, if that makes sense,” said the 44-year-old. “I don’t think I’ve heard more than about 20 to 30 seconds on it.”

Zach Johnson is searching for his first Ryder Cup victory at the fourth attempt but dismissed the idea there was a revenge element hovering in the background of their preparations.

“I’m not suggesting that there’s not some validity to the whole redemption thing,” he said. “I don’t know where it started or who came up with it. I don’t think it was anybody on our team and I don’t think that’s necessarily our approach. That was two years ago.

“My motivation isn’t because we lost two years ago, my motivation is because I’m playing in the Ryder Cup. I’m still upset that we lost but I’m not here to redeem myself or the team.”

Matt Kuchar thinks the Americans’ poor record, having lost seven of the last nine events, and being on European soil puts the pressure on their hosts.

“I think we come in here as perceived underdogs but everybody here thinks they have got every bit the same chance the home team has,” he said. “I don’t think there’s a revenge nature in the game of golf.”

Hunter Mahan returns to the Ryder Cup after four years with personal demons to exorcise after losing to Graeme McDowell in the nail-biting final match at Celtic Manor.

“It’s painful when you lose and it’s unbelievable when you win,” he said, having tasted victory in 2008.

“Redemption is a word that some guys have thrown out and it kind of feels like that.

“I think the US has been kicked in the teeth for a while now and I think a lot of the guys are motivated.”

Bubba Watson was USA’s cheerleader two years ago as the home crowd lapped up his unconventional antics to whip up the atmosphere.

There will be no repeat this year, however.

“I’m just here to play golf, make some putts,” he added.

“When you’re at home, you can do other things and be goofy, but when you’re away, you don’t want to do anything like that, even though we had some fun a couple years ago with getting the crowd revved up.”