Brandt Snedeker did not try to soften it. With the Americans headed into Sunday Singles at the Presidents Cup trailing by 3 points, he said he had not done the best job for his team and took the blame for putting them in that position.
That is why his remarks were being searched so closely on Saturday night. The Americans had already cut a four-point deficit to three, but the margin still left them needing a strong finish in the final session, with the possibility of a first loss in 28 years hanging over the event.
Snedeker said he was trying to put his players in the best situation possible, but added that he had been “honestly second-guessing myself a lot” while weighing matchups, comfort and other options. He also said he sat Scottie Scheffler for the Saturday afternoon foursomes session because he wanted to give him energy for Sunday, calling it a hard decision and saying he wanted the best player in the world rested for a big day.
That public honesty did not sit well with everyone. Paul McGinley said Snedeker’s comments were “a bit surprising” and warned that telling the world he was doubting himself could leave teammates watching that interview with a lack of confidence. He said Snedeker had been “too open” and “too honest” at the wrong moment, even as he added that “the fat lady has not sung yet.”
Snedeker’s dilemma is plain enough: if the Americans rally, his choice to rest Scheffler will look like a careful call made for the right reasons. If they fall short, the decision will be part of the argument over how a 3-point hole became the burden of Sunday Singles. Either way, the captain has already made one thing clear — he expects the judgment to be aimed at him first.
