inspired Luke and his players throughout his Captaincy.” All this success suggests that maybe the professionals should be paid some of the billions of dollars that are generated from the biennial Ryder Cup Matches. Back 9 Report wondered if it is time to pay Ryder Cup participants. The full segment can be viewed HERE. Put Patrick Cantlay pic here There have been rumblings before about participation by American golf professionals. In 1999, David Duval threatened to abstain from Ryder Cup participation and a last-minute compromise was made to donate $200,000 to every players particular charity, a tradition that is still carried on today. Current pros do not seem to be impressed with the PGA’s charitable largesse, or lack thereof. In Rome, Patrick Cantlay even went so far as to refuse to wear a hat with the Ryder Cup logo on it as a not-so-quiet protest against not receiving cash remuneration for being on the U.S. Team. Evidently his concern about money created turmoil among U.S. Team members and helped aid Team Europe to defeat the Americans 16.5-11.5 in Rome. The Ryder Cup, like so many former ideas, has grown into something greater than was ever envisioned by the PGA and the European Tours. It is one of the most highly anticipated and watched sporting events in the world. In the past the DP World Tour needed the funds generated from the Ryder Cup every two years just to keep their tour afloat. Today with all the billions of dollars floating around the golf world, that may not be the case. I’m sure the PGA and the DP World Tour, owners of the Ryder Cup, want to keep all the money for themselves, but maybe it’s time to pay the players for their participation. Michigan Golf Journal
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