Tom Watson Chooses Age to Guide his Ryder Cup Squad

The Americans won’t be meeting the Europeans at Gleneagles until September but that hasn’t deterred their captain, Tom Watson from locking in two of his assistant captains. Announcing earlier this week that Raymond Floyd, 71 will be joining Andy North, 63 to help him deliver an American Ryder Cup victory.
 
While the European captain, Paul McGinley has yet to name his assistants, Watson is taking an early stand. Appearing to declare that age and experience will be the driving force behind his strategy.
 
“What Raymond brings here is his experience and the respect of the players,” Watson said. “When these players look at Raymond, they know he’s been there, they know he’s been successful, and they know he wants to win. I don’t really need anything else.”
 
When the Ryder Cup begins later this year the combined age of Watson and his assistants will be 201.
 
64-year-old Watson sees this as a definite benefit. “The age difference, it’s kind of like a professor. You go to learn from a professor.  He has the experience; he has the knowledge. That’s what we bring as captains to the Ryder Cup.”
 
The captain is expected to still add one more assistant. While McGinley has indicated he won’t be naming his assistants until May or June.