The U.S. Ryder Cup has donated $37 million since 1999. "We will never apologize for serving those in need through the Ryder Cup"
FARMINGDALE, N.Y. – When Paul Azinger heard Europe Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald claim his team was "united by more than money" and took a not-so subtle jab at the American side during his speech at the Opening Ceremony, that was the last straw and he could no longer sit idly by as the Europeans spewed what he claims is “a false narrative.”
A four-time Ryder Cup member and the 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup captain, Azinger loves nothing more than the biennial competition. But he doesn’t like the way the Europeans are leaning into this idea that the Americans are greedy, money-hungry mercenaries and they are playing for history, their tour and their continent.
“I hope people understand that since 1999, the U.S. team has given away $37 million. I don’t know how you can begrudge that,” Azinger told Golfweek. “The PGA of America and the players should be very proud of the amount of money they’ve donated to a variety of charities. We will never apologize for serving those in need through the Ryder Cup.”
Money became issue at 2023 Ryder Cup
The money narrative that submarined Team USA two years ago in Rome, a controversy known as Hat Gate, resurfaced with rumors last year that the PGA would begin paying players. It angered traditionalists who argued that the competition has always been about the honor of representing one’s country. A dozen past captains reportedly sent a letter sent a letter in December to the PGA opposing a plan to pay American players for competing. Azinger declined to sign the letter. He represented the U.S. in 1989, 1991, 1993, and 2002. In those early years, the competition was a money loser. But that changed after the War on the Shore at Kiawah in 1991 and once it started turning a profit the U.S. team wanted their cut to donate to charity.
“It’s a giant event now,” Azinger said. "We give a lot. Our reputation is on the line."
The PGA began giving each player $200,000 in 1999, and that amount hadn’t changed in the ensuing 26 years. This time the American side is being given $300,000 that it can give to charity and a $200,000 stipend. Several of the players, including U.S. captain Keegan Bradley, said they planned to donate the entire $500,000 to various causes they support. Sam Burns lives in Choudrant, Louisiana, a one stoplight town outside of Shreveport with a population under a thousand people.
"That amount of money in that community for those charities is going to go a long ways," he said. "So for me personally, it's going to have a huge impact on our community. I'm just extremely grateful that we get that opportunity."
But the European side isn't receiving a dime — in theory — enabling Donald to proclaim at the Opening Ceremony, that, “we’re fueled by something money cannot buy.
Donald, Euros take stance
Donald and the Europeans have taken a holier-than-thou stance, conveniently ignoring the fact that it is their players that typically require appearance money to play on the DP World Tour these days and that several of its players jettisoned the European circuit and PGA Tour to take the bag in the form of lucrative guaranteed contracts with LIV Golf. Donald likely wouldn't have become captain in the first place had Henrik Stenson, who had been selected as captain for the 2023 Ryder Cup, hadn't showed how easily some of their players could be bought. It could be considered disingenuous of Donald to take this high road, Azinger said.
“We all know that their tour is funded by the Ryder Cup. Every four years they rake it in. The real reality is our guys take no money and the European Tour players end up playing for the profit. They can claim what they want but I think it’s a false narrative. The way he framed it, it’s another sneaky effort but it’s a false narrative, it just is,” Azinger said. “The extra $200,000 this year that goes to the players, that money is going to go to local First Tees and local Boys and Girls Clubs. That’s what Sam Burns is talking about. No one is keeping that money. Two hundred grand is like $2.50 to these guys. That money is going to people in need. I would ask them where all their money goes.”
When that question was posed to Donald at a press conference on Thursday, he ignored that part of the question, focusing instead on being called out for the jab he delivered in his speech.
“It wasn't directed at the U.S. My speech was directed at my players," he said. "We have been very consistent where we stand and what we play for. We're not concerned about what the U.S. are doing.”
Azinger doesn't agree with theory
But Azinger isn't buying what Donald is putting down.
“Europe is trying to work an ugly spin on something,” he said. “I would be doing the same thing Luke’s doing but when you’re playing chess you have to make a counter move. They're saying, we play for pride and not for money. Well, our guys can say we’re playing for pride and charity; your guys are playing for pride and the European Tour, which gets most of the money.”
The battle begins in earnest on the course on Friday but the battle in the court of public opinion — in terms of fan support — rages on.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Paul Azinger defends Team USA players being paid a stipend
Category: General Sports
