The Ryder Cup is supposed to be all about sport, representing your country, and battling against the best as you try to bring home the Ryder Cup. That is, of course, unless you want to get paid. Two players from the USA made a point to air their dirty laundry in Italy, insist they get paid, and divide the USA Team to the point where nobody wanted them around.
Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantley, who have been friends for a long time, decided getting paid for the Ryder Cup was more important than rallying your country to victory. How far did the discussion go? The PGA of America, who helps run the Ryder Cup, threatened to pull Schaufflele from the team a week before the event.
Schauffele's Dad Stefan has jumped on the bandwagon. He, too, thinks the players should get paid for playing in the Ryder Cup.
"The PGA is making a lot of money off this event. They should share that money with the players," he said.
The story started to break in the middle of the Ryder Cup this past month in Italy. Cantley was accused of not wearing the USA hat because he wasn't getting paid. Cantley denied the allegation, saying he routinely hated wearing hats. Then, after the round, he was seen leaving the golf course wearing a hat from one of his sponsors.
People close to the US team say that Schauffele and Cantley divided Team USA. Apparently, they took their beef to another level in Italy.
"It was a serious problem this time around," said one USA official.
Players have been trying to get paid by the Ryder Cup for years. Interesting enough, Team Europe embraces the "team" concept while Team USA has, at times, seem divided.
When asked by the media if players should get paid for the Ryder Cup, Team Europe captain Luke Donald said "absolutely not."
You have to wonder too why two guys who just happen to be best friends are leading this discussion. Regardless, it sets up an interesting problem for future players
"It's a problem for Team USA right now," said Paul McGinley. "Personally, I hope players from both sides never get paid. Professional golfers at that level already make a lot of money. They should be playing for the love of the game."
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