It’s been a few days since the announcement that the Ryder Cup players will be paid at the next edition, and the chaos and noise about it still hasn’t disappeared. Well-known names from the world of golf decided to react and comment on the latest happenings.
While the views of individuals vary, it seems that among the legends of this sport, there is an opinion that Ryder Cup golfers should not be paid for what they do.
Dame Laura Davies, a well-known name to fans of this sport, decided to comment on the latest news. Davies is someone who has a lot of experience behind her, competing in the biggest competitions like the Solheim Cup.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Davies labeled comments by individuals that they want to be paid as disgraceful. She points out that the appearance at the Ryder Cup implies that the individual has already earned a huge amount of money by then.
“Anyone that wants to be paid, I think its a bit disgraceful really, because if you’re a Ryder Cup player you’ve earned a lot of money to get into the team,” Davies said.
Judging by the media reports, each of the golfers from the US team should be paid $400,000. Davies sees things from a different perspective, considering that some individuals may direct the money to humanitarian purposes or their foundations. An experienced person in the golf scene is aware that there are various scenarios when it comes to the Ryder Cup and paying players, but she shares the opinion with many that the prestige of playing such a competition is above all else.
“So to want more, for whatever their reasons are…maybe they get the ones that aren’t that bothered who will get the money and just give it to their foundations, which would be lovely obviously.”- Davies continued.
Laura does not understand why individuals put so much emphasis on money and the Ryder Cup.
The 61-year-old English woman is sure that this is not everyone’s opinion. She believes that many want to play in the Ryder Cup without any financial compensation. Rory McIlroy shared this attitude a few days ago, considering that playing in the Ryder Cup is an honor for every individual.
The 35-year-old golfer admitted that he is willing to pay money to perform, which speaks volumes for his opinion of golfers being paid to play in such a tournament. Laura is someone who stands by McIlroy, pointing out that she would like to play another Solheim Cup, calling it the greatest honor you can have in your career.
Solheim Cup
The Solheim Cup is an international golf competition, which is played between the women’s national teams of Europe and the United States of America. This competition is actually identical to the Ryder Cup. The only difference is that the best female golfers in the world compete in the Solheim Cup, while the best male golfers compete in the Ryder Cup.
The Solheim Cup is played every two years, just like the Ryder Cup, and attracts a lot of attention.
This competition carries a special factor of excitement and emotions that are rarely seen anywhere.
Laura Davies made a huge success at the Solheim Cup, performing as many as 12 times. The first edition started in 1990, and the experienced golfer played until 2019. Davies has recorded huge successes for her team, being the leader for years. Her departure from the European team left a big void, but the mark she left on women’s golf is truly indelible.
In September of this year, the popular golfer praised the last editions of the Solheim Cup, emphasizing how important this competition is when looking at the global scene. Although during the period when she played, the Solheim Cup was not popular at all, she is happy that with the growth of the Ryder Cup, the Solheim Cup grew as well. This competition is gaining more and more popularity from year to year.
“The drama of the last four or five Cups has been incredible, and it’s on the world stage now. People want to watch it. People want to come. We’ve heard the numbers that are coming this week.
Back in 1990, there were probably 30, 40 people watching, and you had some of the best golfers in LPGA history, Nancy Lopez, Pat Bradley. It just didn’t have this gravitas that it has now.
But it had to start somewhere. The foresight of the Solheim Family, how they thought of it. It was an obvious fit with the Ryder Cup getting stronger and stronger, but they were the ones that stepped up.”- Davies said.