Playing on their home field may give the American’s an advantage in this week’s Ryder Cup -- or not, given how most of the European players are regulars on the PGA Tour. Tiger Woods may tee it up with Rory McIlroy in a Sunday singles smack down -- but the team captains vow they won’t rig the lineup cards to give everyone the show they want. Rory is a “marked man” -- but the new Tiger remains unperturbed that the entire U.S. team is out to get him. Pundits may debate those and a host of other matters before, during, and after the biennial matches begin at Medinah Country Club on Friday. There is, however, one sure thing on which even the most risk-averse gambler can make book -- that Bubba Watson’s eyes will spring several leaks before the winners lift the trophy Sunday night.
Bubba Watson on Ryder Cup: There will be tears
Bubba Watson, who wears his emotions on his sleeve, admitted that he’ll likely cry several times during the Ryder Cup tournament.
“I am probably going to cry at some point this week,” Watson, who’s known to blubber at the drop of a golf visor, told reporters Thursday about the passion that playing for the U.S. inspires in him.
“For me, it’s the one chance I get to represent our country and hopefully represent our country well,” the reigning Masters champ said. “So the passion just comes from that -- all the people that pull for me, cheer for me; even if people that don’t like me in the U.S., now they cheer for me in this one event.
“So looking forward to it, and that’s the passion. It’s just the people that I’ve never met that keep fighting for our freedom -- anytime you can represent them and hopefully hit some good shots for them.”
Watson was not the only American with tears in his eyes -- even before the first ball had been struck. Skipper Davis Love III went all Bubba on Wednesday while talking about the close-knit bunch of guys he was leading this year.
“I love being around them,” said a choked-up Love, who acknowledged that he and Watson shared a good sob while watching a film of Ryder Cup highlights during Tuesday night’s team dinner. “Bubba and I are going to cry a lot.”
Watson, who wears his emotions on his sleeve, backed up his captain.
“I’m probably going to cry at some point this week because I just cry every week it seems like,” Caleb’s daddy said. “There’s going to be good shots I’m going to cry about, there’s going to be bad shots I cry about.”
Hey, it’s the Ryder Cup. There will be tears of joy and frustration on both sides of the fairway. Bubba Watson guarantees it.
