Golf World Today

My opinion on the biggest news in professional Golf

Ryder Cup Trophy

Recently there has been a spate of interesting things that have occurred in the professional world of golf that I believe warrants addressing. As a coach in today's industry, there have been a few alarming decisions that I believe could have a negative long-term effect on the game of golf. All of these views are my opinions and could ultimately turn out incorrect; however, if they are right, then we as a sport should be very worried.

New Stipend for Ryder Cup Participants

The news that I want to address is the new ruling that professional golfers playing in the Ryder Cup will receive a stipend of $200,000 if they play for the USA team. The European team does not receive any funds at this time; however, it could change moving forward.

Concerns About Fairness

This decision bothers me as a coach and as a player of the sport. I understand the feeling of athletes stating that "if other companies are making money, where is our cut?" While that is fair, I do believe that in an effort of seeking fairness, you potentially ruin one of the most competitive and fun-to-watch events in the industry. I do not believe that the athletes of today are more deserving of a payout for Ryder Cup participation than Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Seve Ballesteros, and many other legends that have come before and played in the historic event.

History of the Ryder Cup

Journeying back in time, the first Ryder Cup was held in 1927 at Worcester Country Club. The captain for the Americans was Walter Hagen, and for the Europeans was Ted Ray (who you may recall from the movie "The Greatest Game Ever Played"). The trophy of the Ryder Cup was donated to the tournament by its founder, Samuel Ryder, who aimed at "promoting competition between the two continents." This started the tradition of the best players from the United States going up against the best players from Europe to determine where the best golfers in the world were.

The competition currently stands with the USA team having 27 wins and the European team having 15 wins. It is truly one of the greatest spectacles in sports to watch. The intensity drawn from each side, knowing that the only thing they are playing for is the pride of their country, is something to behold.

The Issue of Compensation

Now, with the current issue: Should the athletes be paid? While I do agree that athletes should be compensated for their time, there are exceptions when the moment they are playing for needs to be greater than the amount they receive on a paycheck at the end of the day. As a sport, one of the keystones of this game is that it has always risen above the money aspect and yet remained true to its nature. You were never guaranteed money; you had to earn it. You had to prove week in and week out that you deserved your paycheck. There were no multi-million dollar contracts. If you perform poorly, you don't get paid. If you played well you got paid. It is truly that simple. Money has never been a dominant trait in this game. Think about it: Some of the greatest golfers of our generation made much less than average tour players are making in todays game.

Just to provide a gauge, in 1930, the overall purse for the US Open was $5,000 and in 2024 it was $21.4 million. If you were to adjust the 1930 purse for inflation, the purse would be about $94,000. Players today that make the cut and place dead last you would make $38,678. While I am not saying that golfers should not seek to make as much as possible, let us not pretend that the player that are playing in the Ryder Cup are strapped for cash.

Now the point of this argument is not to say that players should always play for nothing, but If the argument being made by players that companies are making money therefore they should, they open themselves up to this argument. These are not college athletes looking to get paid for their name and likeness. These are professionals that are already well compensated and are looking to simply pad their pockets. If the players are looking to make a better argument then a "He gets, therefore I want". Also if they would like to rebut the fact that it is not all about money I am all ears. Fairness with companies operating like companies is not an argument.

The Purity of Competition

If we as a sport continue to get drawn into the money conversation, we lose the historical and pureness of the game of golf. Now, should there be a conversation about the purse sizes? Sure, but I believe that is a separate issue. Since when did it become a problem to say, "You vs. me for pride and country"? Everything has to have a dollar amount attached. I believe that this move will lead to the downfall of the purity of competition.

Just a thought experiment. If the Americans win, while getting paid, what will the conversation be. Will it be about the pride that they receive from winning something for their country or will it be about the purse size. Keep in mind, every time a player wins a tournament, all we talk about is how much the golfer won that week. While making sure athletes get paid is a positive, are we losing touch with the beauty that makes sports. With this latest trend of everyone getting paid all the time for everything they do, are we what makes great competition? It is a question I believe that we all need to ponder as we continue to move into this next phase of athletics.

Alternate Answers

One possibility is that an American just needs to stand up and say "no." Only one. It will only take one guy on that entire team to stand up and say, "I do not want or need to get paid for playing for my country." Only one. Keegan Bradley could, or Scottie Scheffler, but just one person needs to stand up and say, "I do not want or need the incentive of money to push me to play better." That will start the avalanche of other players to come out and agree and say neither will I.

The second way, unfortunately, would be that the Europeans win the title. I hate even writing this statement. Don't get me wrong; I will be cheering as loud as any other American watching Team USA. However, if the Europeans end up winning the title, knowing that the Americans are getting paid to participate, it will surely put the Americans in a much poorer light. After getting embarrassed in Italy, then getting paid, Team USA will have a great deal of explaining to do. It probably could even influence Team USA to say that they don't want to get paid next time.

Increased Scrutiny on Team USA

So Team USA, just be aware that there will be more eyes on you than ever before. If you think the pressure was great previously, just wait until you are faced with the fact that your performance is now linked to a check. Meanwhile, in other news, Sergio Garcia is willing to pay 1 million euros in fines so he can participate in the Ryder Cup. That in itself should tell you all you need to know about where the hearts are for the players that are participating.