Patrick Reed isn’t impressed that his fellow Americans will be getting paid to represent their country at the Ryder Cup.
For the first time in the tournament’s storied history, Team USA stars will pick up a check.
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Some feel the honor of representing the Stars and Stripes should be enoughCredit: Getty
Skipper Keegan Bradley‘s golfers will land $500,000 each, $300,000 of which will be sent to charity.
It is the latest development in a debate which has raged around the golf world for years.
“I would pay for the privilege to play in the Ryder Cup,” said Team Europe star Rory McIlroy, who will not be paid along with the rest of captain Luke Donald‘s squad, in November.
Reed, who missed out last year despite his reputation as ‘Captain America’ due to a central role in fiery previous showdowns, thinks the Northern Irishman’s view is on the right side of history.
“It’s one of those that I really think is unnecessary, to be honest with you,” Reed said.
“There are certain events that money means absolutely nothing and that’s one of them.
“Same thing with with the Olympics and things like that. But my biggest thing at Ryder Cup is, if you’re gonna give money to players, have it all go to their charity or something like that. Do something good with it.”
Europe will be up against it at Bethpage Black in front of a loud American crowd.
Reed thinks the spirit in the visiting locker room could help them repeat their triumph in Italy.
“The actual brotherhood and camaraderie out here, you don’t really have in the States,” he added. “I feel like they play a lot of team golf over here, growing up and everything.
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Reed used to ruffle European feathers
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Team USA will be a strong favorite on home soilCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“We don’t, even though you’re playing high school, college, there’s not a lot of team format. It’s go out, play individual. You count four, five scores and you move on.
“That’s definitely an edge that they have over here, the camaraderie and the tightness of the group. But I feel like we’ve recognised that in the US, and we’re working on it.”
Bryson DeChambeau is Team USA’s hype man
Reed hoped his reputation for pumping up fans would get him the nod in a pre-tournament chat with talkSPORT.
But having missed out, fellow LIV Golf star Bryson DeChambeau can pick up the baton and bring the fireworks.
“We’re in an awkward spot with where we sit in the golf world,” Bradley said of DeChambeau. “A lot of that responsibility has fallen on Bryson. He has to make a much bigger effort than a lot of the guys.
“Bryson was there last night. He’s been incredible. He’s been more than willing to go above and beyond for this team. I think it’s a testament to what a good teammate Bryson is.
“I think it’s actually really cool to see, for the guys to see – it’s easy for the guys to come play here and come to dinner. Bryson’s got to get on a plane, he’s got to come to these meetings and I think it’s a great thing, shows the commitment in that Bryson has for the team.
“He’s going to be a huge asset for us. Obviously from the standpoint of how good of a player he is, but also he’s fun to be around, he’s great to the younger guys. It’s fun for us to see Bryson in an atmosphere outside the golf course as well.”
Patrick Reed’s Ryder Cup match recordWins7Defeats3Halves2Total points8/12
Teammate Collin Morikowa has been delighted with DeChambeau and insists the camaraderie is strong.
“Not just this week, he’s made efforts to come out to other meetings and other dinners as well,” he said.
“It shows that he just cares. Like I said, I think this whole individual aspect, we’ve all thrown that out the window and we will all do what it takes to be with the team.
“So to have him there yesterday, being around the team, hanging out, like they’re all positives for us. I think the more we can all be together, which we’ve already been, the closer we’re going to be and the more comfortable we’re going be to.
“It’s been pretty seamless I think through all my team events, like there hasn’t been any awkwardness around anyone. I’m not saying just because we lost in Rome there was awkwardness in the team room.
“All of us have been great together, but just adding the extra little dinners, hanging out, that just shows that he cares. Like I said, he’s going to do everything it takes and everything we need and we need from him to go out and put points on the board.”