The recent report of Ryder Cuppers getting paid has caused quite a stir. Word is PGA of America will pay $400K to each of the 12 Team USA members. Players, on both sides of the Atlantic, never received monetary compensation for the Ryder Cup, other than the $200K that PGA of America donated on their behalf to a charity of their choice.

Rory McIlroy, quizzed on the matter, refused to blame anyone of his PGA Tour colleagues. But his diplomatic response was telling, nonetheless. Dubbing the Ryder Cup as one of the two ‘purest forms’ of competitions, the four-time major winner said, “I personally would pay for the privilege to play in the Ryder Cup.”

Brandel Chamblee, a one-time PGA Tour winner turned analyst, strongly supported McIlroy’s words. “Once again Rory hits the nail on the head,” the 62-year-old started his long tweet. 

Now, Chamblee has been critical of Rory McIlroy’s form after the US Open disaster. The Ulsterman missed two putts inside three feet to squander his ‘major’ hopes. Analyzing the results, the veteran said, “I think, the reason he hasn’t won since then [2014] is because his swing simply isn’t as good as it was prior to that.” 

Only a few months later, Chamblee also compared Jon Rahm’s Olympic disaster to McIlroy’s slip at Pinehurst. “I’m going to put that down as one of the biggest collapses, chokes of the year. Right up there with Rory Mcilroy at the U.S. Open.” 

Moreover, given McIlroy’s softened stance towards LIV Golf, it’s likely that Chamblee and the Ulsterman also differ on the Saudi-backed circuit’s future. The veteran analyst has been vocal about LIV Golf’s disastrous impact on the game. Nevertheless, they are on the same page as far as the Ryder Cup is concerned. 

Chamblee wrote, “It’s a sad commentary on the professional game that a few players with misdirected and undo power treat every aspect of this game, including the privilege of playing for one’s country, as transactional.” Slamming the greed in professional golf nowadays, the golf channel analyst blamed this handful of players for ruining the image of the sport. 

Chamblee lashes out at stars who demand money for Ryder Cup

Although Brandel Chamblee refrained from name-calling, it might appear that the one-time PGA Tour winner was firing at a known target (read Patrick Cantlay). Last year, a scathing report claimed Cantlay and a few others wanted to get paid for representing the country. Apparently, Cantlay refused to don the American hat as a mark of silent protest. 

However, team USA categorically denied the claims. And Patrick Cantlay, for the record, did wear the hat at the Presidents Cup. But then a Golfweek report revealed all 24 players of the American and the International team were paid a ‘stipend’ of $250,000. Another departure from the modus operandi of a patriotic tournament.

So, Chamblee is hitting out the growing influence of money in a sport that was founded on the bedrock of charity. The 62-year-old alleged this unabashed display of greed is repulsing the recreational golfers, who are the lifeblood of this game. 

He continued, “To play at the highest level, players have to rediscover the reason to pursue the highest level. And it is not for money. It is merely striving to take full advantage of one’s talents and resources to simply see how good they can become. And occasionally give back to the game by playing for one’s country.”

It should also be noted that PGA of America has increased the Ryder Cup ticket prices multifold. You need to cough up $750 to cheer for Stars and Stripes at Bethpage. Maybe, that’s no avail because PGA of America has declared them ‘sold out’. 

Although the officials have defended the decision by comparing the Ryder Cup with the Super Bowl and World Series, many believe the compensation to players is the real reason behind the hike. Any surprise that fans, analysts, and some players are infuriated about a $400K compensation?