“We don’t need money to drive us to go play.” That’s how Patrick Reed responded to the idea of American players being paid to compete in the Ryder Cup—a statement that immediately caught the golf world’s attention. So what happened was, a couple of weeks ago, The Telegraph reported that the PGA of America was considering paying team members $400,000 each for the 2025 Ryder Cup. As soon as the news broke, it divided the golf community, with many opposing the idea. Reed was one of the most vocal critics.

Now, Reed isn’t just any golfer commenting from the sidelines. He’s represented the U.S. in the Ryder Cup twice, in 2014 and 2018, and, of course, famously won the 2018 Masters. To him, the Ryder Cup is more about pride than profit. In an interview with Gulf News during the International Series Qatar, Reed called the payment idea a “touchy subject” and explained, “In the past, when I was part of Ryder Cups, none of the players or caddies were ever sitting there, and talking about whether we got paid or not. None of us could really care.”

But from where does this idea of paying to play in a patriotic showdown come? Last year, at Marco Simone, there was an alleged rift in the American dressing room because of them not getting paid. Patrick Cantlay became the face of this controversy as it was reported that, in protest, he refused to wear his hat while on the course.  But you see, Reed does not care about the money, these kinds of events are so much more to him than money.

“All we cared about was playing the Ryder Cup, representing your country, going out and playing against Europe, and hopefully bringing the cup home or keeping the cup. That tournament is so much more than getting paid. Just like the Olympics, anytime you can go and represent your country and try and win something for your country — we’re all competitors out here. We don’t need money to drive us to go play the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup or Olympics,” said Reed.

Yes, it is the feeling of patriotism that drives the golfers at such events; “What drives us to play in those events is going out and playing for something way bigger than just yourself. You’re playing for your country, you’re playing for your teammates, and so I don’t see any reason to sit there and play for anything besides the trophy and bringing it back for the red, white, and blue.”

If the PGA of America follows through with the proposal, it would mark the first time in Ryder Cup history that players are directly paid for participating. As for now, money is donated to charity on behalf of the players, which reinforces the event’s reputation as being about national pride, not personal gain. And, honestly, he’s not exactly wrong. The Ryder Cup has always been about more than the paycheck. 

But, what will happen if golfers do get paid? Reed highlighted that it would make things very interesting. Why? Because the golfers would now be sad over two things: lost spot on the squad, and lost money. “It’s one of those things that could be a very interesting situation. At Whistling Straits, I was 11th in the standings, and they didn’t pick me. All I know is I’d be pretty annoyed if I finished 11th, didn’t get picked, and so not only am I not playing, but I also lost $400k. I don’t know how that would all happen and take care of itself, but I don’t like it personally. Honestly, if it comes down to picks and that determines whether a guy gets paid or not, I don’t like that. I don’t like that at all.”

Every two years, golfers play diligently, with the hope of making it to the team. Not getting selected hurts, ask Keegan Bradley how he felt in 2023. Highlighting the emotional sentiment, Reed said, “Guys grind so hard. Every two years, you’re grinding so hard to try to make that team, so if you’re one of those guys that’s inside the top 12 and then you get left out, and then on top of it, you lose money for it, especially that much money — $400k is a lot of money. To sit there and think, ‘Oh man, I played well enough to be inside the top 12 but didn’t get picked and lost money for it’ — that just, to me, doesn’t sit well.”

Here’s where it gets interesting. Reed’s opposition to being paid seems ironic given his decision to join LIV Golf since it has been widely criticized for luring players away from traditional tours with massive payouts. In 2022, Reed became one of LIV’s biggest signings. So, when NUCLR Golf shared Reed’s comments on its X account, fans weren’t exactly sympathetic.

Fans criticize Reed for his hypocritical stance

Everything was fine—until 2022 when LIV Golf burst onto the scene. The league’s launch shook up the golf world, drawing many top players away from the PGA Tour with jaw-dropping paychecks. Naturally, this didn’t sit well with everyone. Fans labeled those who joined the Greg Norman-led circuit as traitors, and Patrick Reed quickly became one of the primary targets.

So when Reed criticized the idea of paying Ryder Cup players, the backlash was obvious. One fan didn’t hold back, writing, “lol – says the man who took the LIV money and ran.” Reed, however, has consistently denied that his decision to join LIV was about the money. “Being a worldwide player is something that has always been important to me,” he said, explaining why he enjoys competing in the International Series events on the Asian Tour. But even Reed can’t deny that the Saudi-funded series has changed the face of professional golf with its lucrative prize pools, and he’s certainly benefited, earning substantial sums since joining.

Yet, everything comes at a cost. And for Reed, that cost has been expensive. He has been excluded from getting OWGR since joining LIV which keeps his chances of competing at majors except Masters very thin. “Depriving LIV golfers the opportunity to compete in Majors simply because we do not play on the PGA Tour is not a good enough reason or acceptable to me,” he said in a previous interview.

Rubbing some salt in his wounds, another user wrote, “Coming from a guy who will probably never see one of those team events again seems like an easy shot to take on the Americans.” Another simply put it saying, “Alright lmao – how ironic.” The slamming didn’t stop there. Some fans even suggested Reed should hang up his clubs altogether. “if playing for more than $1,00,000 or more to play golf and it doesn’t get you “up” then maybe you’re already a set and don’t need to play anymore? Give your spot up in and let the young guys play! You LIV guys already sold out so this is a perfect example of why the TOUR never needs you back,” wrote another frustrated user.

It’s worth noting that since joining LIV Golf, Reed hasn’t won an individual tournament in 33 events so far, aside from two team victories with 4Aces GC in 2023. Once a nine-time PGA Tour winner, he’s been chasing a win without success. As one fan sarcastically pointed out, ““We” ?  He realizes he’s never making another team right?”And another bluntly dismissed him altogether: “We don’t care what the cheater says.” 

 If, at all, golfers do end up getting paid for the Ryder Cup, how do you think it will change the landscape of the game? Will it be an uphill move or otherwise? Let us know in the comments below.