Luke Donald Critiques US Ryder Cup Team’s Payment Structure
Luke Donald has raised concerns regarding the United States Ryder Cup team, suggesting that the home crowd at Bethpage may not support Keegan Bradley and his players due to their financial incentives. In a controversial decision, Bradley and his 12-member squad will each earn $500,000 (£370,000)—with $300,000 earmarked for charity—while the European team competes without pay. Ticket prices for the event start at $750 per day.
There’s been significant buzz about potential hostility from New York fans towards Donald and the European players, who aim to defend the trophy they secured in Rome two years ago. However, Donald points out that if the US team struggles, they might face backlash from the audience. “If the US players don’t perform well despite being paid, the New Yorkers could make it clear how they feel,” he noted.
Donald believes that the European team’s choice to forgo payment reflects a deeper understanding of the Ryder Cup’s significance, despite its commercialization. “When I first learned about the USA team being paid last year, I reached out to our group from Rome to gauge their thoughts. They were unified in feeling that playing for money wasn’t something they even considered,” he explained.
“We recognize the Ryder Cup represents something special for us, and our success supports the European Tour Group and grassroots initiatives. The goal is to inspire future generations of players, reflecting a strong motivation that transcends monetary gain,” he asserted.
Donald, a former world number one, admits he has an underlying competitive drive. “There’s a lot of grit beneath the surface, and when I want to win, I channel any negativity as motivation,” he stated. He sees the opportunity presented by this event as a challenge that excites him.
Should Donald lead the team to victory this Sunday, he would become the first European captain since Tony Jacklin to win both at home and away. Despite the Europeans not having won on US soil since 2012, Donald remains optimistic, highlighting his strong playing record of 10.5 points from 15 matches.
In addition to Donald, the team in New York will receive support from notable vice-captains including Thomas Bjørn, José María Olazábal, and the Molinari brothers, Edoardo and Francesco. Donald emphasized their collective experience, noting that the vice-captains and he together boast participation in 35 Ryder Cups, achieving a staggering 83% win rate.
