For a nation which gave us a brilliant TV show called Band of Brothers, the Americans find it hard to bond like brothers, or even second cousins. Gratifyingly, they seem to loathe each other. The best part of Europe winning the Ryder Cup, especially with a thrashing, is always the American meltdown afterwards.
Four years ago in Scotland, Phil Mickelson gave his captain, the much-loved Tom Watson, a full barrel–load post-match. ‘We have strayed from a winning formula,’ was the gist. Later, when asked about Mickelson’s disloyalty, Watson replied with customary courtesy: ‘He has a difference of opinion. That’s OK. My management philosophy is different than his. It takes 12 players to win…’
In Paris, Mickelson’s played so dismally he had the grace to shut up. It was left to Masters champion Patrick Reed to take up the mantle.
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