Tom Watson, one of the most famous players in the history of golf, will captain the U.S. Ryder Cup team in 2014, with the goal of regaining the title against European rivals. After Europe has won seven of the last Ryder Cups, including a last-gasp victory at Medinah (Chicago) last September, the U.S. PGA has turned to Watson, who has a long history of winning the competition. As a player, Watson has participated in four Ryders, resulting in three wins and a tie, and is also the last captain to lead the U.S. to a defeat on European soil, in 1993 at the famed The Belfry (England). “I’ve been waiting twenty years to get the call. I loved it the first time. It’s a great honor to be able to do it again,” Watson told NBC, where the announcement was made.
Tom Watson, recalling the painful defeat in September, when the U.S. team lost after starting the last day with a 10-6 lead, was confident of being able to create a team capable of regaining the trophy for the next two years. “We have the right man to lead our team,” said U.S. PGA President Ted Bishop. Watson, winner of eight majors, will be 65 years old for the next Ryder and will be the oldest captain in the history of the competition, although all confidence has been placed in his figure. Until now, only another legend, Jack Nicklaus, had repeated the captaincy, the last time in 1987.
The 2014 Ryder Cup will be played at Gleneagles (Scotland) and Watson is much loved there having won four of his five British Opens.
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