Rory McIlroy at the 2023 Ryder Cup (Image via Imagn)
Rory McIlroy isn’t too impressed by reports that American golfers will receive $400,000 to compete in next year's Ryder Cup. Instead of backing the decision, the Northern Irishman noted that he would pay for the “privilege to play” for Europe in the competition. The four-time Major champion said he didn’t think any of the 24 players on either team needed the payout.
Former professional golfer and commentator Brandel Chamblee has since come out to laud McIlroy for his comments. The analyst said the PGA Tour has “hit the nail on the head” with his remarks. He said that players treating “every aspect of this game as transactional” was “a sad commentary on the professional game.” Chamblee, a staunch LIV Golf critic, stated that golf's “increasing commoditization” was a “tough pill to swallow.”
The ace commentator details the example of Michelangelo’s ‘statue of David’ to reiterate that events like the Ryder Cup aren’t played for money.
