Task Force Proves Its Worth in Monumental United States Win
- Dan Hauser
- 3 Oct, 2016
Two years ago we all bared witness to an absolute dumpster fire of a United States press conference after yet another Ryder Cup loss. The U.S. Team had just lost 16 1⁄2 to 11 1⁄2 at Gleneagles in Scotland for their third straight loss and tensions were running high. What transpired was Captain Tom Watson getting hurled under the bus and having it backed over him several times by the likes of Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk. It was must watch TV, for all the wrong reasons.
What nobody knew, outside of maybe Phil and a few at PGA of America headquarters, was that that press conference set in motion the policies and procedures that resulted in the monumental 17-11 United States win at Hazeltine on Sunday.
Make fun of the Task Force all you want, but for this edition of the Ryder Cup at least, it worked. While it seemed over the top at times and overkill in other instances, the Task Force set in place a system that proved to be vital, and work, for this United States team. It started with getting Davis Love III, seemingly the poster child for the PGA of America given his upbringing, on board despite being the losing captain at Medinah in 2012. From there, Love lined his assistant captains on board earlier then ever and getting them all in on the system. Tom Lehman, a Minnesota native, was so all in he studied the Farmers Almanac for the last 30 years just to get an idea of what the weather would be like in Chaska the week of the Ryder Cup. The Task Force even changed how the team would be comprised, instituting the “Billy Horschel Rule” and saving one final Captain’s Pick until after the final round of the Tour Championship to ensure the hot hand is on the team.
Everyone from top to bottom bought in and never wavered and it showed throughout the week.
There was Tiger Woods, who was a constant presence all over the property. He was in the team room helping Love make decisions (it was him who actually overruled Love and sent back out Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed Saturday afternoon), he was on the range being a support system for the players giving fist pumps and letting the players know he was there.
There was Phil Mickelson, the de facto playing captain, and veteran of 11 consecutive cups, giving dog tags to the team with the words “2016 Hazeltine” and “The Beginning” engraved on each side.
There was Ryan Moore, who wasn’t even supposed to be on the team and wasn’t even fitted for a team uniform because he was so far off the radar before his 11th hour pick, earning the clinching point for the American side.
There was Bubba Watson, who didn’t make it as a player but asked Love if he could be an Assistant Captain, visually emotional after Moore sunk the winning putt. He went so far as to say, “This is the greatest thing I’ve ever done in golf.” That coming from a guy that has Two Green Jackets to his name.
Finally, there was Reed. A cult hero amongst many in the golf community, Reed transformed into a bona fide American golf hero this week with his performance at Hazeltine. From carrying Spieth on his back most of the day Saturday, to staring down the beast in Rory Mcllroy on Sunday and coming out victorious, there is no question Reed embodies everything that the Ryder Cup is and has become. Over the top, loud, and the game to back it all up.
Sunday’s press conference for the Americans was a complete 180 from two years ago. The anger and resentment was replaced with popping champagne corks and smiles. Whether we will get a repeat in two years when the Ryder Cup descends on Paris is the question to be answered at a later date. What is known though is the Task Force worked, at least for now.
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About Dan Hauser
As an avid golfer and sports enthusiast, Dan has had a passion for sports starting at a very young age. Dan’s other passion has always been writing. Since the time he could write, he has always enjoyed sharing information with people and telling stories through writing. In middle school he combined his two loves by joining the school newspaper in the sports department.
