In an open letter released following an ESPN report of a contentious meeting with players ahead of the final day of the biennial team golf showdown, Watson said he had spoken with Phil Mickelson about the star's criticism after the US defeat and they had a better understanding of each other's perspective as a result.
"The bottom line is this: I was their captain,” said Watson. “In hindsight whatever mistakes that were made were mine. And I take complete and full responsibility for them.”
Mickelson's remarks came after Watson ripped players and dismissed a gift to him, ESPN reported, citing unnamed sources who were at the meeting of the US team, which would lose 16 1/2 to 11 1/2 to Europe.
Watson, at 65 the oldest captain in Ryder Cup history, guided the Americans to their most recent win in Europe in 1993 and was brought back in hopes of inspiring another victory.
But according to the report, his methods likely alienated the game's top current US talent.
Watson was criticised for decisions about pairings, including not playing Mickelson on day two in either pairs format and benching star rookies Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed after an opening victory on Friday.
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