Luke Donald has stirred the pot ahead of the Ryder Cup, taking a shot at Team USA before play even begins.
The build-up to this year’s event has been dominated by discussion over whether American players should be compensated for their involvement. The PGA of America landed on a compromise, allocating $500,000 per player, with $300,000 earmarked for charity.
Several players and captain Keegan Bradley have since announced they’ll donate their entire share to charity. Bradley backed the decision to pay players and was directly involved in how it was handled.
But captain Luke Donald did not waste the opportunity to take advantage of some controversy surrounding his opposition. Speaking during the opening ceremony, he said: “We’re fuelled by something money can’t buy.”
The American team did not take well to those remarks, with plenty said about Donald behind closed doors.
Team USA push back after Luke Donald’s opening comments
Donald’s remarks at the opening ceremony did not sit well with Team USA, who felt he ‘crossed the line’. Todd Lewis of the Golf Channel reported that several players took issue with what was said.
“Talking to members of the United States Ryder Cup team, they were pretty upset about that comment from Donald about the money. They think he crossed the line”, he revealed.
“One team member said it was a hit below the belt, and it has galvanised the U.S. team a little more, those comments from Luke Donald.
“They have a little more fire in their belly, they feel like gasoline was thrown on that fire yesterday by Luke Donald. Immediately more friction between the United States and Europe.”
Donald had already made headlines earlier in the week when he told Sky Sports that “this is not a week to get paid,” adding even more fuel to an already heated build-up and putting extra pressure on Bradley and his squad.
Donald’s strategy appears to leverage the home crowd’s significant role in the Ryder Cup. This move could be an attempt not only to influence the American team psychologically, but also to subtly turn the crowd against them whenever possible.
Brandel Chamblee backs Luke Donald’s comments
Brandel Chamblee has been a constant critic of Team USA throughout the week. The golf analyst’s remarks about Bryson DeChambeau, labelling the LIV Golf player a “captain’s nightmare”, did not go down well with the 32-year-old or his teammates.
The former golfer kept up his criticism of Bradley’s side and voiced support for Donald following his speech.
“I’m not surprised the players on the U.S. side are upset by it. With that adage, the truth hurts, and Luke Donald wasn’t saying anything he hasn’t already said in the media centre.
“Maybe he wasn’t directing it at the U.S. players. And maybe he wasn’t directing it to anywhere but his team. But it may have had the effect of letting the audience know.
“We’ve all known, in the golf world, that the players have been pushing to get paid on the U.S. side, and they’re getting it. But outside, I’m not sure people knew that. Maybe he was just letting fans know exactly who they were cheering for.
“People who needed to be paid to play for the honour of their country. Wanting to be paid to play for the honour of their country,” Chamblee stated.
While Donald’s words might have been aimed at swaying public opinion, New York fans are not likely to be bothered by them.
The home crowd is fiercely supportive of their American team. A $500,000 prize will not alter their fervour.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
