The Golf Blog says: After criticizing Tom Watson for his dour captaincy at the last Ryder Cup, Phil Mickelson let loose on Hal Sutton for giving him only 2 days notice about his pairing with Tiger Woods in the ill-fated Ryder Cup gamble in 2004 that Sutton captained. At a press conference this week, Phil explained that the golf balls they used were completely different (high spin v. low spin), and Phil had to spend all of his practice time trying to adjust to Tiger’s ball in just 2 days.
Hal Sutton, who was at Minnesota this week in preparation for the Ryder Cup ceremony, was upset and threatened to leave. “I mean, my God, somebody’s got to be the fall guy. If it needs to be me, I can do that. If he wants to put the blame on me, then let him do it. If I still need to shoulder the blame for Phil, I’ll do that.”
Mickelson later texted Sutton and apologized.”I’ve communicated with him. I feel awful. It was never meant to be like that, I was trying to use an example of how a captain can have a strong affect. Unfortunately it came across the way it did. I feel awful and I want him to be out here and be a part of this, so I’ve communicated with him that I’m sorry and I hope that he stays.”
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