"All we cared about was playing"- Patrick Reed lashes out against Ryder Cup paying golfers
Patrick Reed is one of many players who disapprove of players being paid to play in the Ryder Cup. He argued this opinion with two considerations, one sentimental and one practical.
In an interview with the Emirati media outlet Gulf News, Reed said that the only feeling that encouraged him when it was his turn to play in the Ryder Cup was the opportunity to represent his country.
This was part of what Reed said:
"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."
"We don't need money to drive us to go play the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup or Olympics. What drives us to play in those events is going out and playing for something way bigger than just yourself."
The other reason the 34-year-old disagrees with players receiving money for playing in the Ryder Cup is that not everyone automatically qualifies for the team, and that can lead to controversy over the money.
"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, 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... I don't know how that would all happen and take care of itself, but I don't like it personally," Patrick Reed said.
Two weeks ago, The Telegraph reported that the PGA of America was considering paying team members $400,000 each for the 2025 Ryder Cup.
This would be the first time in the history of the event that players would be paid for their participation. Sums of money are currently donated to charity on players' behalf after the event.
Numerous players have spoken out against the rumor. Ryder Cup legend Paul McGinley called it "wrong on a lot of levels" (via Golf Monthly), while Rory McIlroy said he would be willing to pay for the honor of representing Europe at the event.
A look at Patrick Reed's Ryder Cup history
Patrick Reed has played in three editions of the Ryder Cup (2014, 2016, 2018), winning the second of them. His overall statistics include eight points won in 12 matches played.
His best performance was that in 2014 (3.5 points won out of a possible four), but the most memorable is that in 2016, when he was the champion at Hazeltine.
In that edition, Reed won 3.5 points out of a possible five, with three wins, one loss and one draw. The singles match he won 1-up against Rory McIlroy is one of the most memorable in recent memory, especially the very long putts both made on the 17th hole.