Luke Donald explains why Ryder Cup golfers should never be paid
Team Europe's successful Ryder Cup captain, Luke Donald, explains why golfers should never be paid to participate in the contest.
Luke Donald doubled down on his comments about Ryder Cup players being paid as he refused to rule out another stint as the European captain.
Talk of money overshadowed much of the contest in Italy after reports emerged Team USA's Patrick Cantlay was upset about players not being remunerated for their participation in the biennial dust-up.
Cantlay always denied his lack of headwear was a display of his dissatisfaction over the matter and a protest.
A report from esteemed golf reporter Michael Bamberger later claimed Cantlay told an official on the first tee at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club he'd wear a cap once he's paid to be there.
Lucas Glover, who was in contention for a late captain's pick after his stunning finish to the PGA Tour season, later claimed he'd heard the U.S. side was splintered.
Donald was asked about whether players should get paid for participation on the Saturday evening of the Cup after thousands of European fans goaded Cantlay.
He sighed an offered a swift and unrelenting answer. "No," he said.
Donald explained why in a recent interview for The Times, where he said: "It's one week where you play for more than yourself, not about money or points, it's about coming together as a team and the fans feed off that — it's all passion.
He added:
It wouldn't be unreasonable to suggest all 12 European players who were involved in the five-point victory in Rome want the Englishman to continue in the role.
Winning an away Ryder Cup in the bearpit of Bethpage Black would undoubtedly top September's victory.
Former skipper Paul McGinley has already ruled himself out, and in a recent interview with No Laying Up, stats man Edoardo 'Dodo' Molinari has also taken himself out of the running.
Donald told the paper: "It was certainly very gratifying to hear the players shouting, 'Two more years,' afterwards and it would be an amazing challenge, but I still need to sit down with my family and decide because it's a big ask."
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