Collin Morikawa has dismissed the idea that the United States’ Ryder Cup players receiving payment might mean they have less desire than Europe’s team.
All 12 of the American team – plus captain Keegan Bradley – are being given $500,000 (£370,000), with $300,000 (£220,000) of that going to a charity of their choice.
It is the first time in the biennial tournament’s 98-year history that players have received a stipend.
The Europeans are not paid to play.
Asked how much he thinks each American deserves, Morikawa said: “There’s no number. It could be zero. It could be one dollar. There isn’t a right or a wrong amount.
“Look, I think at the end of the day, all 12 of us here playing when we tee it up on Friday, and before this all started, we just want to win the Ryder Cup.
“We want to win it for ourselves. We want to win it for our country.”
The payment for the Americans has brought a lot of negative attention, with critics believing it does not fit with the ethos of the Ryder Cup.
Detractors also argue the players – who earn multi-millions on the tours – do not need the extra income.
Former European Ryder Cup player Darren Clarke has previously said the idea of being paid to play in the tournament “does not sit well with me”, while former European captain Paul McGinley has described the move as “a massive mistake”.
American player Xander Schauffele accused the media of trying to make the issue “a negative thing”.
