Three months removed from the most awkward press conference in golf history we are getting a behind the scenes look at the real dysfunction of the American Ryder Cup Team.
The well respected and very connected Jaime Diaz of Golf Digest reveals some of the drama that went on leading up to, during and after the 2015 Ryder Cup fiasco by the Americans. 
Diaz’s take on Phil’s venting:
Mickelson’s rant before the media in Scotland lasted about two minutes, but it seemed to freeze time. The other American players tried to avoid squirming, while Watson held a tight smile with hard eyes. Even Mickelson had a startled expression, as if comprehending the full weight of his words only after they echoed in his head.
Not that Lefty let up. After he damned Watson by extolling the way 2008 U.S. captain Paul Azinger got players “invested,” a reporter called the answer “a pretty brutal destruction of the leadership that’s gone on this week.” In response, Mickelson struck a disingenuous tone: “I don’t understand why you would take it that way.” But when asked if Watson had gotten his players invested, Mickelson left no doubt. “Uh … no,” he said. “No, nobody here was in any decision. So, no.” There have been plenty of autocratic Ryder Cup captains, but until Mickelson, every disgruntled player had held his peace, at least publicly. Even when David Graham was ousted by his International team before the 1996 Presidents Cup, it was done behind closed doors.
As we have heard before Phil Mickelson had some issues with Captain Tom Watson long before Phil the Thrill shocked us all at that painful press conference.
At the time, Mickelson was pressing to qualify for the team. At the Scottish Open, Mickelson told (PGA President) Bishop, whom he played with in the pro-am, that he wanted to talk to Watson about a system that had been used to pair players in the Presidents Cup, but that he had sensed an unwillingness by Watson to communicate. Watson had said that if Woods were healthy and playing well he would select him as one of three captain’s picks, but he didn’t give Mickelson the same assurance.
And it seems that Watson had some issue with some players also:
Potential discord was evident in July 2013 at The Greenbrier Classic. Through the caddie grapevine, it got back to Mickelson that Watson had told his playing partners, “I won’t be afraid to bench one of these prima donnas.” The consensus was that he had been talking primarily about Woods and Mickelson.
Despite their similar golf accomplishments, Watson 39 wins and eight majors and Mickelson with 42 wins and five majors, their personalities might have well been oil and water.
“Most people live in a gray world,” says a person who has known Watson for many years. “For Tom, everything is black and white. He holds himself to absolutes, and he does it with people around him. It can make relationships difficult.” 
In contrast, Mickelson is garrulous, highly social and an unabashed showoff who often talks bigger than he can deliver. To the older generation of pros, he’s often regarded as a hot dog. But many of today’s younger players see him like a favorite uncle who is supportive and fun on the course or at a dinner table.
Watson’s cool demeanor may have turned off some of his team that are more familiar with “positive reinforcement” then they are with “tough love”.
“There were times when Tom seemed so intentionally mean and tough, I wondered if he was trying to pull a Herb Brooks and get the team to unite by turning against him,” said a witness to the week at Gleneagles, referencing the hockey coach who led the United States to an Olympic gold medal in 1980. “But what he might have been doing to motivate sometimes just had guys rolling their eyes.”
Mickelson was indeed peeved that Watson benched him and teammate Keegan Bradley for an entire Saturday but the Saturday night team meeting may have been where Phil had taken all he could and the fuse was lit for the fireworks at Sunday’s press conference.
At day’s end, the U.S. trailed, 10-6, and Watson was seemingly all out of tact. In the American team room, he opened his remarks with the statement, “You guys stink at foursomes.” After a brief talk in which he praised Spieth and Reed and emphasized the importance of the early holes in the Sunday singles, Watson was presented with a traditional captain’s gift, a replica of the Ryder Cup trophy inscribed with the signatures of the team.
Earlier that evening, Mickelson had been asked by the PGA of America to present the gift to Watson, but he declined. Instead, Furyk, the player second to Mickelson in Ryder Cup seniority, gave Watson the trophy. After thanking the team, Watson said that this wasn’t the trophy he wanted, that he wanted to “hold the real trophy tomorrow,” perhaps an attempt at motivation. Later that night, according to a source, Watson said he regretted his choice of words, and that he hadn’t intended to sound ungrateful.
The mood of the gathering was somber. Several people addressed the group, including assistant captains Stricker and Andy North, Matt Kuchar (who led the team in a humorous cheer) and Bubba Watson’s wife, Angie. They had all made their brief speeches from in front of a stage in the converted banquet room, but when Mickelson got up to speak, he chose to sit on the back of a couch that was closer to the group. It put his back to Watson, who had remained standing near the stage. Mickelson spoke for several minutes, emphasizing his positive experience of playing in the Ryder Cup, and his belief that the U.S. could come back and win on Sunday. He then addressed his teammates individually, making a comment of admiration and appreciation to each. Said a source, “It was Phil trying to put his arm around the guys when that’s what they needed.”
Now, with the advantage of hindsight those in the know like Bishop, Watson and the American Team probably knew the team was headed for trouble. And the Europeans playing great team golf didn’t help matters either.
But Bishop and the PGA called on Watson to match his last feat as Ryder Cup Captain, a victory on foreign soil. It was a good plan on paper but horribly executed in reality.
That being said, this should not be the lasting memory of Tom Watson the Hall of Fame golfer.
Watson will finish out his major championship career at the Open Championship this July at St. Andrews when he crosses the Swilcan Bridge for the last time in competition.
His dysfunctional captaincy should not mar how history remembers one of the most iconic golfers in the game.
When a young Watson came along to challenge Nicklaus, Palmer and Player the Big Three became The Big Four.
When he started winning majors in 1975 he was on his way to earning his place among the greats.
Five Open Championships made him the greatest links player in the modern game and his near miss at the 2009 Open had captivated the sports world.
Except for one bad bounce he would have claimed his sixth Open as he turned 60 years old.
It would have been one of the greatest moments in sports history. Watson handled the loss with class and dignity, much as he had done his entire career.
Watson should be remembered for all the good he has done during all his years in the game.
It’s regrettable that his career finished with such an unpleasant episode but it should not taint the memory of such an important golfer.
Tom should be able to go out at St. Andrews as one of the greatest golfers of all time and not a failed Ryder Cup Captain.
He certainly has earned a respectful tribute.
Click here for Diaz’s Golf Digest article.
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