by What the American Ryder Cup players won’t say has quickly become much more interesting than what they will say. Uncomfortable travel has become the norm this year at the Hero World Challenge, an event seen as a stress-free opportunity to unwind at the end of a hectic season. Last place in the Bahamas collects $150,000 (£117,000). Money, money, money, it must be funny, in a world of rich men.
It emerged last month that discussions were underway regarding paying around $400,000 each to the dozen players who will represent the United States against Europe in Bethpage in September. Validation can only happen when the PGA of America appoints a new general manager; it seems unlikely at best that Seth Waugh’s successor will begin his tenure by irritating golfers who have long since acquired dangerous power.
Related: Woods says US Ryder Cup team should get paid if funds go to charity
Rory McIlroy’s growing disregard for the greed and self-interest of many PGA Tour players has been easy to trace in recent times. He responded to the Ryder Cup storyline by insisting he would pay to play in the biennial event. This, in turn, seemed to attract the attention of Tiger Woods.
The version of history provided by Woods, in relation specifically to the 1999 Ryder Cup, places the blame elsewhere. “We didn’t want to get paid, we wanted to give more money to charity and the media turned on us and said we wanted to get paid,” the 15-time major winner said.
Indeed, an almighty fury surrounded Woods, Mark O’Meara and David Duval in particular. In all the talk about not playing Brookline, Ben Crenshaw managed to calm the waters. Woods believes the Class of 2025 should be allowed to donate millions to charity from the Ryder Cup bounty.
The problem is that if players are getting paid, there is no reasonable way to know – and why should there be? – where is this money going? If charity is the real subtext again, golfers could simply ask the PGA of America to divert a set portion of Ryder Cup funds to a dozen designated charities.
Scottie Scheffler, the world number 1, seemed irritated that the subject was brought up. “On the American side, we are all more than willing to play the Ryder Cup for free,” he said. “We’ve been playing the Ryder Cup for free for a long time. I don’t think there’s a problem with guys getting paid to play in the Ryder Cup. I don’t think it takes anything away from the competition.
“I don’t play golf for money. I’ve played golf my whole life for free and the money is just a bonus. If someone wants to pay us to come here and play golf, that’s great, I’m not going to say no to them. I will do my best in my community to manage this money well.
In other words: I don’t need money but I will receive it with pleasure and I will be careful not to waste it on wine, women and songs.
The idea that athletes are taking a piece of this ever-growing pie is not new. Some might even argue that this is perfectly valid. But the optics associated with the American Ryder Cup scene are horrible. Spectators must pay $750 for tournament days in Bethpage. Volunteering costs $350 (pay it).
Thanks in part to the arrival of LIV, golfers have never had it so good. Scheffler has collected $71 million in official PGA Tour money. Patrick Cantlay? $48 million. Justin Thomas has almost $60 million through the same algorithm. Factor in sponsorship deals and it’s easy to see why much of the public, even golf enthusiasts, cite the vulgarity. The Ryder Cup broke the mold by being much more than just a check – until now.
Neither Woods nor Scheffler were willing to address this item. Neither can Cantlay or Thomas. Keegan Bradley, the U.S. captain, continued his confused approach to leadership by opposing the announcement of a payment rather than adequately addressing what it means. “I was really disappointed that someone leaked that information,” Bradley said. Shoot the messenger.
“My thoughts on the Ryder Cup are very simple,” Cantlay said. “I’m here to represent my country and to earn points for my teammates.”
His consistent public reluctance towards broader issues is quite striking, given the supposed influence he wields in the corridors of power. Will the real Patrick Cantlay please stand up?
“It’s a strange, touchy subject and you’re damned if you do, damned if you don’t,” Thomas said. “We would all play if we weren’t paid.”
Thomas made comparisons to college athletes, which demonstrates at least an element of contextual awareness. But the most striking thing about Woods, Scheffler, Cantlay and Thomas – key players in this field – is that no one would argue that the Ryder Cup shouldn’t pay participants when given enough opportunity to do so. They would deserve even more respect if they vehemently explained the reasons why participants should pay fees.
However the Americans try to get out of this – and it seems reasonable to assume that at least some element of improved public relations will take place – Luke Donald and the Europeans have their hook. Glory for money. Pride against dollar signs. Tricky questions will continue to arise for those considering donning the stars and stripes.
