Tom Watson named 2014 U.S. Ryder Cup captain

Thursday’s naming of Tom Watson as captain of the 2014 U.S. Ryder Cup team sparked a swell of reactions from golfers and analysts alike. The cheekiest, however, came from Rory McIlroy, who accepted Keegan Bradley’s enthusiastic acclamation of Watson’s captaincy as a chance to get in a dig -- two years ahead of the next contest.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>You wanna get beaten again already!? ”@<a href="https://twitter.com/keegan_bradley">keegan_bradley</a>: All this Ryder Cup talk is getting me excited.Can we play now??!!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%232moreyears">#2moreyears</a>”</p>— Rory Mcilroy (@McIlroyRory) <a href="https://twitter.com/McIlroyRory/status/278969713197993984" data-datetime="2012-12-12T21:08:57+00:00">December 12, 2012</a></blockquote>

Tom Watson will head to Europe in 2014 to captain the American Ryder Cup team for the second time. The announcement became official Thursday morning on the Today show, and Watson fielded questions in a subsequent press conference at the Empire State Building. The main topics focused on his relationship with Tiger Woods, and the process that led to Watson earning the nod -- which seemed to be a recent development. But apparently, it had been in the works for some time.

Most immediate questions honed in on Watson’s relationship with Tiger Woods, who he’s sharply criticized in the past for on-course behavior. Watson stated that his relationship with Woods is fine, and that he’s almost a lock to be on the team, whether it’s through automatically qualifying or as a captain’s choice:

You know that fire hydrant Tiger Woods backed into with his SUV on Thanksgiving night 2009? That minor but notorious fender bender may be nothing compared to the potential collision awaiting the former No. 1 and newly anointed 2014 U.S. Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson.

Or not.

Make no mistake about it: the PGA of America’s choice to name Tom Watson as the U.S. Ryder Cup captain for the 2014 matches is an independent act of aggression.

The American’s are sick and tired of losing the Ryder Cup and they’re not gonna take it anymore. Choosing Watson as team captain means a man who has never lost a Ryder Cup match as a player or captain will once again lead the U.S. to the promised land. At least, that’s the plan on paper.

Wonder if Tiger Woods will be on the edge of his seat watching the “Today” show Thursday morning, hoping that PGA of America president Ted Bishop introduces someone other than Tom Watson as captain of the 2014 Ryder Cup team? Because we’re guessing that Woods -- most likely a 2014 Cupper, if healthy -- and Watson -- the next team skipper, according to Tim Rosaforte -- are not exactly best buds, if past admonishments from Tom the Scold to the serial philanderer are any indication.

Watson minced no words in lecturing Woods about what he expected from the fallen golfer upon his return from his 2009 car accident and subsequent sex scandal.

In a significant turn, the PGA of America will name Tom Watson as the American captain for the 2014 Ryder Cup, according to a report by Tim Rosaforte of Golf World. Watson would be a repeat captain, having already led the Americans to victory at The Belfry in 1993.

Naming a veteran like Watson would break the trend of having American captains who are typically still Tour contemporaries, albeit older, of the 12 team members. Rosaforte, however, cites the PGA’s desire to have a more headstrong captain with an authoritative resume. Watson certainly has the bona fides, and he won’t hesitate to order around the richest, most decorated players in the world. He’s never been shy about publicly criticizing Tiger Woods, mostly for his on-course behavior, so it will certainly be interesting to watch the dynamic between those two at Gleneagles in 2014.