Money. The one subject the US Ryder Cup team would rather is not discussed this week and the theme that Europe are more than happy to promote. As soon as it was confirmed the US team members would be paid $500,000 a head to play at Bethpage – $300,000 must be given to charity, the rest is a stipend – half of Luke Donald’s team talk was written. Europe play for their cause, their tour, their big picture. The US? Now quite easily portrayed as obsessed with dollar signs. Twelve players, $2.4m, zero caveats.
Noble Europeans doing it for love, ghastly Septics being paid!
Just out of interest, where does the money not paid to the golfers actually go?
Noble Europeans doing it for love
They’re all greedy bastards, not that that’s a crime, as evidenced by the Team Europe representation in the PGA Tour Player Impact Payment scheme (a blatant bribe to prevent any more big names jumping ship for the even bigger rewards of the LIV). McIlroy alone has pocketed $35m just for showing up on the US tour irrespective of his performances.
Europe play for their cause, their tour, their big picture.
Possibly true for one week every two years. The other 99% of the time it’s all about the Benjamins.