LUKE DONALD believes America’s Ryder Cup stars could suffer a backlash from their own fans, after demanding appearance money at Bethpage.
The European captain says there is every chance the volatile New York crowds will turn on their own players, who are being paid $500,000 apiece, if they start badly.
Europe romped to a clean sweep in the opening foursomes session in Rome two years ago, to set the platform for a stunning 16 ½ – 11 ½ victory.
And most pundits feel USA captain Keegan Bradley has blundered by sticking with foursomes to kick things off on Friday, as the format traditionally favours Europe more than fourballs.
Asked whether another fast start by Europe could cause resentment over the pay-for-play deal, Donald replied: “That could happen.
“We all know how high the ticket prices are, averaging out at around $750 each. So it’s going to be an expensive trip out for a family of four.
“If the US players are getting paid, and they aren’t performing, the New Yorkers could make them know about it.”
Patrick Cantlay led a US players revolt in Rome, refusing to wear a team cap because they were not being ‘compensated’.
That changed this year, although it left a sour taste on both sides of the Atlantic. And Cantlay could certainly find himself in the firing line at Bethpage.
When he heard the Americans were being paid for the first time – they will keep $200,000 and donate the other $300,000 to their chosen charities – Donald immediately contacted all 12 Europeans who played in Rome.
Ryder Cup line ups
Here are the players who will be competing in the Ryder Cup…
Team Europe
- Luke Donald (C)
- Shane Lowry
- Jon Rahm
- Sepp Straka
- Viktor Hovland
- Ludvig Aberg
- Matt Fitzpatrick
- Rory McIlroy
- Robert MacIntyre
- Tommy Fleetwood
- Justin Rose
- Rasmus Hojgaard
- Tyrrell Hatton
Team USA
- Keegan Bradley (C)
- Justin Thomas
- Collin Morikawa
- Ben Griffin
- Cameron Young
- Patrick Cantley
- Sam Burns
- Scottie Scheffler
- JJ Spaun
- Xander Schauffele
- Russell Henley
- Harris English
- Bryson DeChambeau
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
He asked them if they felt they should also be paid – and every one of them said no.
Donald added: “That speaks to what the Ryder Cup means to these guys.
“A couple hundred thousand dollars to them isn’t a lot of money in the grand scheme of things.
“Again, those weeks of the Ryder Cup, they are the best weeks. There’s so much more to them. We certainly don’t need any motivation or monetary rewards to get us up.
“I wanted to get ahead of this when I first heard about it last year, and as I said I reached out to all the 12 guys in Rome to see how they felt.
“Their voices are important. Everyone was like, we haven’t even considered playing for money for that event.
“We just don’t see that. We understand what it represents. We have a great purpose, and that’s really enough for us.
“And we understand that the Ryder Cup profits go to help The European Tour Group, and the grass roots of golf.
“We talk a lot about this – we are here to inspire the next generation. I think our purpose, why we play the Ryder Cup, is pretty strong.
“And that’s enough for this week.”
2
