Ryder Cup: Mickelson, Watson in war of words post Ryder Cup loss

United States captain Tom Watson has lashed back at American veteran golf ace Phil Mickelson's criticism, saying that his side absolutely had a winning philosophy, but added that the bottom line is the Europeans kicked their butts.

Mickelson had openly raised questions over the Watson's methods after they lost the Ryder Cup to Europe at Gleneagles, while heaping praise on 2008 captain Paul Azinger, the last skipper to guide the U.S. to victory. The US lost 161/2-111/2, their eighth defeat in the last 10 Ryder Cups.

Mickelson, a five-time major winner, had pointed out two things, saying that the first was that Azinger got everybody involved in the process by breaking the squad into pods and secondly he added that what the former skipper did really well was that he had a great game plan, a real game plan about what they were going to, The Guardian reported.

Mickelson, who was making a record 10th Ryder Cup appearance at Gleneagles, was reportedly unhappy at being left out by Watson on Saturday.

His little speech lasted a long time, and Mickelson concluded that unfortunately the Americans have strayed from a winning formula in the last three Ryder Cups, and they need to consider maybe getting back to that formula that helped them play their best.

However, Watson sought to slide the blame on to the players. He insisted that he absolutely still felt his was a winning philosophy, and said that if the U.S. were going to win next time their team had to play better.

Watson said that the bottom line is Europe kicked their butts, adding that they were the better players this week. And the skipper reportedly had a point as the six major winners in the squad won four points between them.

Watson tried to brush it all off as a difference of opinion, but the politest of men eventually snapped. He said that it takes 12 players to win and it is not pods.