Undercover Pros: What Ryder Cup Players, Caddies And Coaches Really Think Of Each Other

I finally set aside some time for the catty backstabbing and other brutal assessments of Ryder Cuppers by those involved in the matches.

If you were an alien who just landed and knew nothing about Ryder Cup participants, you'd think after reading this that no one will break 80 in the matches.

Still, it's entertaining reading even if you come away thinking no one can putt, chip or do much of anything under pressure. You'll also find out who has the wedge yips...apparently just about everyone but Mickelson and Spieth.

John Huggan and Dave Shedloski got the folks to talk from both sides of the Atlantic for the September Golf Digest.

A sampler:

"If there is a worse lag putter in the game," said one, "I've yet to see him." Another player is known for this: "He enjoys pissing the other team off." Dealing with another opponent's gamesmanship? "You have to give it right back to him or ignore him. And if you do give it back to him, it can affect him."

The individual assessments will be of most interest if you haven't already read it between the print pages. Considering Bubba Watson has not made the first cut despite just missing the team on points, the assessment of his game and attitude seems especially pertinent.

EUROPEAN TAKES: "His head is his weakness. He talks a lot about 'energy levels.' He has to feel energized to perform. And because of his personality, he finds that difficult to do. In a Ryder Cup, where you play multiple matches in a short period and there's a lot of pressure, you can see him getting mentally fatigued quite quickly. And so his performance level drops off." ... "His driving is long but wild. So there is always the potential for him to hand a hole to his opponent. He can go out and beat you, 5 and 4, but you could do the same to him. I wonder how much fight he has in him when he's 2 down after five. Is he coming back? Probably not. He'll more than likely fold up." ... "He's easily upset, too. The crowd can get to him. He doesn't like being touched. So he has so much vulnerability."

So keep your hands to yourself. We can work with that!

AMERICAN TAKE: "If he's into it, if he loves the golf course, he isn't easy to beat, but the question is, can you get him into it? Attitude is everything with Bubba, because he has all the shots. If I'm Europe, I'm pointing out all the trouble at Hazeltine and letting Bubba chew on that."

I suppose Bubba could make a scouting trip to Hazeltine this week and declare his love for it, and really cause Captain Love a headache!