Patrick Reed slams potential Ryder Cup payments

Patrick Reed has firmly opposed the idea of US players being paid to play in the Ryder Cup.

Speaking to Gulf News, the 34-year-old insisted teams he’s been a part of have never discussed payments, while the reported sums don’t sit right with him.

Reed, who has represented the USA in the contest three times, also questioned the prospect of Keegan Bradley choosing players when payments are involved.

“It’s such a touchy subject,” Reed said at the International Series Qatar.

“With having six picks, if you finish inside the top 12 and the captain decides to skip over you and pick someone else, not only did you not get to play, but you also just lost $400k.

“So, to me, I feel like it’s a pretty sticky kind of situation.

“In the past, when I was part of Ryder Cups, none of the players or caddies were ever sitting there and talking about whether we got paid or not. None of us could really care.

“All we cared about was playing the Ryder Cup, representing your country, going out and playing against Europe, and hopefully bringing the cup home or keeping the cup.

“At Whistling Straits, I was 11th in the standings, and they didn’t pick me. All I know is I’d be pretty annoyed if I finished 11th, didn’t get picked, and so not only am I not playing, but I also lost $400k.

“I don’t know how that would all happen and take care of itself, but I don’t like it personally.”

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In the Ryder Cup’s 97-year history, players have never been paid to represent their side in the biennial match.

But, as reported by the Telegraph, 12 American players are set to receive an equal share of a $4.8 million fund.

The payment row was fuelled at Marco Simone last year, when reports suggested Patrick Cantlay declined to wear a US team cap in protest of not being paid.

While Reed did not tee it up last year, he’s adamant the Ryder Cup should be left as it is.

“Yeah,” he said, when asked if it would be better without money involved. “Guys grind so hard.

“If you’re one of those guys that’s inside the top 12 and then you get left out, and you lose money for it, especially that much money — $400k is a lot of money.

“To sit there and think, ‘oh man, I played well enough to be inside the top 12 but didn’t get picked and lost money for it’ — that just, to me, doesn’t sit well.

“That tournament is so much more than getting paid.

“Just like the Olympics, anytime you can go and represent your country and try and win something for your country — we’re all competitors out here.

“We don’t need money to drive us to go play the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup or Olympics.

“What drives us to play in those events is going out and playing for something way bigger than just yourself.

“You’re playing for your country, you’re playing for your teammates, and so I don’t see any reason to sit there and play for anything besides the trophy and bringing it back for the red, white, and blue.”

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Meanwhile, Reed – who joined LIV Golf in 2022 – has not played in the Ryder Cup since losing to Team Europe at Le Golf National in 2018.

But he has sights on returning to the mix, particularly after hearing Bradley’s stance on selecting players from the Saudi-backed circuit.

“Obviously, I’d love to be back on that team,” Reed said. “I’d love to be that pest that’s always, you know, bugging the heck out of those Euros.

“I love to hear that he’s going to stand up and be like, ‘hey, since I’m captain, I’m going to put the best Americans out there that I feel like are best for our team’.

“Honestly, that’s how it should be, and good for him.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.