European captain Luke Donald has begun the mind games as his side travel to the USA to face their American counterparts in a bid to retain the Ryder Cup
Luke Donald has begun the Ryder Cup mind games(Image: PA)
Europe captain Luke Donald has fired the first shot in the Ryder Cup war of words by claiming the US crowd could turn on their own team over money at Bethpage Black.
American stars will be paid a “stipend” of $200,000 for the first time – Team Europe are playing for nothing – while tickets are costing a staggering $750 each.
Asked if the two factors could combine to incite the home crowd if Team USA are losing, Donald said: “That could happen. We all know how high the ticket prices are and it’s going to be an expensive trip out for a family of four. If the U.S. players are getting paid a stipend, or whatever it is, and they aren’t performing, the New Yorkers could make them know about it.”
Donald came out against Team Europe getting paid before winning back the trophy in Rome – and he is backed by his players.
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“It speaks to what the Ryder Cup means to these guys,” he said. “A couple hundred thousand dollars to these guys isn’t a lot of money in the grand scheme of things.
“I wanted to get ahead of this when I first heard about it last year and looked like it was likely going to happen. As I said I reached out to all the 12 guys in Rome and see how they felt. Their voices are important. Everyone was like, we haven’t even considered playing for money for that event. We just don’t see that. We understand what it represents. We have a great purpose, and that’s really enough for us.
“We understand that the money raised goes to help The European Tour Group and the grass roots. Again we talk a lot about this, we are here to inspire the next generation. So this money is going to good things. It will hopefully help future Ryder Cup players become great players. I think our purpose, why we play the Ryder Cup, is pretty strong, and that’s enough for that week.
“Those weeks of the Ryder Cup, they are the best weeks. There’s so much more to them. Again, we certainly don’t need any motivation or monetary rewards to get us up.”
Donald added: “I think the Americans are favoured because of the atmosphere but sometimes that takes pressure off the players, as well. The pressure can be on the home team. I felt that in Rome and I’m sure Keegan and his team will feel pressure to perform under the scrutiny of the New Yorkers as well.”
President Trump is set to attend the Ryder Cup on Friday(Image: AP)
President Donald Trump – who is friends with Bryson DeChambeau – is scheduled to watch on the opening day on Friday. Asked if it’s good for the Ryder Cup that he’s coming, the other Donald said:
I think so. It’s not like Presidents haven’t come to Ryder Cups before or Walker Cups or Presidents Cups. it’s nothing new. I think that you have to respect the Office and the fact that he wants to come and show support is a good thing. He loves golf is all I’m going to say.”
After delays before his attendance the US Open men’s final, the PGA of America are understood to have asked Trump to delay his appearance until after the start of the Friday morning foursomes.
“We haven’t heard the definite plans,” added the European skipper. “ Yeah, I suppose that would make things a little bit easier. The morning is a rush, isn’t it? The spectators start getting it, lining up at 4, 5 am, leaving earlier. “
