Hal Sutton has claimed that it should be the players, rather than Tom Watson, who take most of the blame for the USA's defeat in the Ryder Cup last month.

Watson's tactics and partnership decisions were criticised after Europe retained the trophy at Gleneagles, but Sutton believes that it is unfair to point the finger at the skipper.

"I dare say that nobody who has ever played on a Ryder Cup team has thought that every decision made by the captain was right," Sutton, who captained America in 2004, told reporters.

"I just think we're looking to blame the wrong folks. The players should go there with one mission in mind, to play well because that's all they have control over.

"To me, when you start blaming the captain you're looking for excuses already."

Paul Azinger, victorious as captain in 2008, is believed to be a candidate to take the job in two years.