Former Ryder Cup captain blasts US golfers "rattling the money tree"

Former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley says the PGA of America is making a "massive mistake" by paying US players.

It was confirmed last December that all 12 players on Keegan Bradley's team will be paid to compete after a package was agreed with the PGA of America. 

The dozen will receive $500,00 (£400,000) each, with $300,000 (£240,000) donated to a charity or charities of their choice. 

US skipper Keegan Bradley has already pledged to give away every penny, though it remains to be seen whether his players will follow. 

The PGA of America previously stressed that "no player" asked to be paid, though their former chief executive Seth Waugh said it was "heavily implied". 

McGinley told the Times of London that the European team was aware the payment issue was "bubbling under the surface" before the 2023 matches in Rome. 

Patrick Cantlay was accused of protesting by not wearing a team cap and was goaded by thousands of spectators during his match against Rory McIlroy at Marco Simone. 

Cantlay denied he was protesting, later telling GOLF that if he was then he would make it abundantly obvious. 

McGinley told the paper: "For for the kind of money these guys are making nowadays, to get a million each is tiny money. 

"It's huge in everybody's life, but not theirs. Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam never got paid. 

"Curtis Strange, Lanny Wadkins and Jack Nicklaus didn't. These modern players have pushed the envelope to get half a million dollars. 

"It's the mentality of rattling the money tree everywhere they can at the moment."

McGinley added: "I don't want to speak too much about the Americans but will give you an insight into what we're doing. 

"We knew this was bubbling underneath the surface in Rome and the Americans said [money] was nothing to do with it. 

"Of course it was an every dog in the street knows it was. Not long afterwards, they announced their payments.

"We knew the announcement was coming, and about a week beforehand Luke communicated with all the 12 players from Rome and they came back within a few hours to say, '100 per cent, we don't want to get paid.'

"That put us on the right side of it and it bonds us with the European fans. Personally, I think they have made a massive mistake to push for this considering how much money is in the game."

McGinley said Ryder Cup players indirectly benefit by appearing in the biennial clash as their brands grow. 

His comments echo those of Darren Clarke, who told Golf Channel that US players getting paid does not sit well with him.

"That is not what the Ryder Cup is about," he said. 

Former PGA Tour player turned LIV Golf recruit Patrick Reed also criticised the decision last week at the BMW PGA Championship. 

Reed said there was no dollar amount that he would want to play in a Ryder Cup or the Olympic Games. 

"I really think it is unnecessary," Reed said. 

"There are certain events that money means absolutely nothing and that’s one of them."

Meanwhile, Justin Rose has also criticised the US team. 

Rose said he believes Bradley's men are "trying too hard" to form a bond. 

The 2025 Ryder Cup will be played over 26-28 September. 

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