The golf world has been waiting a long time for what has been announced for weeks, and that is the fact that golfers will be paid to perform at next year's Ryder Cup. The opinions of golf fans and legends about this are different, but we will see what the future holds when it comes to this game.
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For the past few days, headlines have been circulating saying that the US team will be awarded $4 million, which has produced various reactions.
A well-known name in the golf scene, Paul McGinley commented last year on the happenings on the golf scene, and the fact that golfers could be paid to perform at the Ryder Cup. The 57-year-old golfer was not a supporter of such an idea, considering that golfers should play for teams without monetary compensation because it is an honor.
McGinley, looking at the names that have previously performed at the Ryder Cup, points out that many of the golfers earn enough money for them. Only the biggest names in the golf scene, such as Scheffler, Schauffele, McIlroy, and many others, perform at the Ryder Cup. An experienced golfer believes that such names do not require compensation.
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"Personally, I hope it gets to a place where neither team is paid," -Paul said, as quoted by Express.
"I think the money that top professional golfers earn at the moment is huge on so many different levels. They're all set up for life, no matter what. Once you make a Ryder Cup standard nowadays, you're set up for life anyway, whether it be through your pension fund or whether it be in the prize money you've earned. I think for one tournament every two years it would be great to give back."
The Ryder Cup has been played for years and has a great tradition. Interestingly, golfers have never been compensated when it comes to this competition. The PGA of America is ready to give �4million to compensate the players. This would mean that each of them will earn approximately �315,000.
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This decision is not official, considering that the new PGA of America chief has not yet been appointed.
Some believe that this could anger European golfers, who would then probably seek the same treatment from the European Tour. However, many of the popular European golfers are aware of what this would mean.
One of the European golfers spoke anonymously and pointed out that Team USA can pay its players, but that the European Tour probably won't do it, given that the golfers don't want it. Such an approach would spoil what has been built for years, and spoil the general image of this competition. An anonymous golfer pointed out in a candid interview that US golfers have wanted this for a long time. He is not sure what kind of reaction it will produce from golf fans at Bethpage Black.
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A large number of fans will not react positively, we can be sure of that.
Rory McIlroy, after learning about such rumors, admitted that he is ready to pay to play at the Ryder Cup. The experienced Northern Irishman stresses that it is unnecessary to give such money, given that such golfers are well-known names and earn huge amounts of money. No one from the US team has reacted to these rumors yet.
"I'd personally pay for the privilege to play in the Ryder Cup... I don't think any of the 24 players on either team needs that 400 grand. Every two years, there are 104 weeks and 103 weeks you can play golf and get paid."- Rory McIlroy said.
US golfers react
For years behind us, it seems that the US golfers directly, and sometimes indirectly, wanted to emphasize that they need money in order to perform at the Ryder Cup. One of the famous names, Patrick Cantlay was the subject of various rumors, especially when he did not want to wear a cap at the last Ryder Cup.
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The famous golfer pointed out that his hat didn't fit, although many are not sure of the sincerity of such statements.
Tiger Woods also spoke openly at the end of the 90s, believing that US golfers should be paid any amount for performing at the Ryder Cup. Woods admitted that he would donate all the money to charity.
"Personally, I would donate all of it to charity. But I think it's up to the other person's discretion what they would do with it."
US golfers are silent for now, but in the coming days they could get answers and their reactions to the latest rumors.
