Players used as 'slaves' in Ryder Cup

justfortherecor

Article from The Independent (UK) regarding comments from Hunter Mahan on the American players' attitude towards the Ryder Cup competition

The race to make the Ryder Cup enters its final lap when the WGC Bridgestone Invitational begins in Akron tomorrow, but any burgeoning suspicions that the US contenders are as desperate to secure a place as their European counterparts have been put into perspective by the extraordinary outburst of one of America's most highly-rated professionals. Hunter Mahan, a prospective member of Paul Azinger's team in Kentucky next month, declared that his countrymen do not take the Ryder Cup "as seriously" as their opponents and his comments signify that this is due to them receiving no payment for playing and being treated like "slaves" during the event. Furthermore, the much-vaunted 26-year-old went as far to warn that top performers, including Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, could one day refuse to play in the biennial dust-up.

"At some point the players might say, 'You know what? We're not doing this anymore, because this is ridiculous,'" said Mahan. The Californian, who made a name for himself in Britain when fifth in last year's Open, made his claims in a frank interview in Golf, the American magazine, which is published today.

"Mickelson and Tiger – their time is worth money," began Mahan. "And for the PGA of America, the Ryder Cup is a money-maker like no other. I just feel like the players don't have much control over it. And I don't think they like that. I wouldn't like that."

If that makes unhappy reading for the organisers, then Mahan's thoughts on Europe's recent domination will have been similarly depressing for Azinger, particularly as Mahan has implied he is simply recounting what many on the team are thinking.

The US captain has gone to great lengths to stress the importance his nation is placing on reclaiming a trophy they have not won this century and the last thing he needs is the facade being torn down by a Ryder Cup rookie who, in truth, should be slavering at the mouth to topple the Euros. "I think Europe really, really takes it seriously," said Mahan. "I think the US does, too. But not like Europe."

One of the main reasons for this comparative indifference, believes Mahan, is the social demands placed upon professionals who are rarely seen outside their hotel rooms after 8.30pm. "From what I've heard the whole week is extremely long," said Mahan. "You've got dinners every night – huge, massive dinners. I know, as players, that's the last thing we want. You're just a slave that week. Don't be surprised if it happens [America players refusing to play in the Ryder Cup]. It's just not a fun week like it should be. The Presidents Cup is fun. Jack [Nicklaus, the 2007 American captain] just made it fun. From what I've heard, the Ryder Cup just isn't fun. The fun is sucked right out of it. That's the word I hear a lot."

Maybe even from the world No 1 himself? Throughout Tiger's reign there have always been rumblings about his attitude to the Ryder Cup. Two of his closest friends on tour, David Duval and Mark O'Meara, have gone on record as declaring that the PGA of America should, at the very least, make a donation to the American players' chosen charities and Woods, himself, once famously remarked there were "a million reasons" why he would rather win a lucrative tournament than the Ryder Cup.

Yet, since the European victories have stacked up (five in the last six stagings) the Americans have taken a gung-ho stance. Until now. In reopening the "do they care?" debate, Mahan has obviously done his own Ryder Cup chances no good. He is 11th on the standings, but with just this £4m tournament in Ohio and next week's USPGA Championship in Detroit remaining, Mahan is faced with playing into the top eight who will qualify automatically or relying on one of Azinger's four wildcards. The latter might find it difficult to opt for a young man with such militant views.

All of which will have pleased Nick Faldo no end. Saying that, the Europe captain has his own selection issues with Sergio Garcia, Paul Casey, Ian Poulter and Colin Montgomerie all currently out of the qualifying spots. Faldo will looking for a big fortnight from all four, although he does enjoy three weeks' grace over Azinger as the wire does not come down on the European race until 31 August.

By then the boys in blue and gold will have proved just how serious they remain about the three-day spectacular in which they would never, ever contemplate refusing to play. Fun or no fun; payment or no payment; slavery or no slavery.

So, has the Ryder Cup lost its appeal? The performances of some of the American players in recent years have been lethargic, at best. Does it point towards a lack of passion in some players for what is still a tremendous golfing spectacle?

I can understand some of his arguments; the Ryder Cup is certainly a major money-spinner and maybe the players should be rewarded financially for achieving a place on the team. However, due to the fact they made the team in the first place, they obviously performed well in lucrative tournaments during the year and have already quite a bit of winnings from the tour.

However, is it too much to ask of these highly paid professionals to dedicate 3 days every two years to a prestigious, yet unpaid, tournament? I think not.

bucks73

Definitely not. But if any American player feels he would rather have a week off than play for his country then he should have the balls to say it and allow a player who has the hunger to take his place.

You can see in interviews and their play how so many European players are just busting a gut to get in their team. The same can be said of some Americans but it is clearly obvious that their is more of a desire in the Europeans still trying to qualify.

Maybe with the change to the number of wild card picks for Azinger this year he finds four guys eager to play and eager to win. Hopefully he does anyway. I would rather a nail-biting, thrilling, close contest rather than another mauling. And a European win of course.

Mister Sifter

Christiano Ronaldo might get a game then...

copacetic

this is all exactly the same as we heard 10 years ago about the money from US side. In 99, O'meara, woods, mickelson and duval were
the ones making a song and dance about it at pga champs pre the ryder cup and then they went 6-0 at start of brookline.

Just same story with Mahan there instead of O'meara..

stockdam

I can see why some Americans don't like playing as they would rather earn money. None of them are forced to play so maybe they should have the courage so say they won't and then somebody else can take their place.

However they should remember that they earn a lot of money for doing something that in the bigger picture is actually very trivial and irrelevant.......none of us need to watch golf. They should show their appreciation of playing one of the greatest sports and to be paid for doing so.

It just smacks of greed and to be honest is also a sad reflection of some of the attitudes of the American nation. We lost a great sportsman when Payne Stewart died.

lisbon_lions

The game of golf has given so much to these lads, if they cannot give a week back every two years (while representing their country in doing so) then thats a good measure of the type of person they are imo.

Adiaga 2

I don't think the players should be paid for playing the Ryder Cup - that's one of the things that make it special particularly with huge amounts sports men and women earn these days. But I can see the point that Mahan and those before him are making, i.e. the tours make absolutely millions out of the event. It reminds me a bit of the big deal that was made a few years ago about Beckham and image rights. It would be better to see charities benefit from the masses of cash the event generates. Then it would take one seriously greedy player to complain about that.

Riskymove

Out of interest, given how he talks positively about it, do they get paid to play in the President's Cup?

Adiaga 2

Just read this on the Examiner website.

Following the 1999 furore, a system was put in place whereby each member of the United States team was given 200,000 US dollars – half to be given to charity and half to a university to develop the game.

And having read the article again, it's hard to agree with anything Mahan said.

One Cold Hand

Mahan just comes across as a complete prat in that article.
He's say 'We don't care' in case 1. He doesn't get in, and 2. The Americans lose (again!).
And since when is he the spokesperson for the US team? I know Tiger spoken in the past about it, but who is he to say that Tiger or Mickleson don't care?

Also, this load of crap about being a 'slave'. I'm not saying it's not true, but he's based this on third party reports. He's never played in it himself, so he's jumping to conclusions, without giving it a try.

As regards money, jesus, get over yourself. You make millions every year. And as Adiaga pointed out, there's money donated to charity.

What I really don't understand is why he's said all this, without declaring himself out of the running. Why is he coming out and talking all the problems he has with everything to do it, then still trying to play in it?
It's simple Hunter, don't play if you don't want to, there's plenty of other who do. Your interview stinks of FAIL.

Anyhoo, it's all good for the Europeans!

Mister Sifter

You'd think players would have learnt from the lieks of Casey and Poulter from making stupid comments like this.

If the players want to be paid, then its a sad refelection of the modern game. Especially as to qualify to get into the team they generally need to have earned a few million in the first place.

At the same time, the Ryder Cup generates a hell of a lot of money. But where does it all go? I think that's the question that grates with alot of the American players.

death1234567

Graeme1982 wrote: »

At the same time, the Ryder Cup generates a hell of a lot of money. But where does it all go?

That's my question too. Given the money generated its only fair that the players look for their cut, after all the tournament is about them. It wouldn't devalue the competition to have a £13 million prize fund, winning team takes all - £1m each.

MisterAnarchy

From what I've heard, the Ryder Cup just isn't fun

What an idiot.
Its not meant to be fun.
World competitive sports events are not 'fun' especially if you lose.
Even inter club tournaments are hardly fun.
Its the competitive edge ,the thrill of matchplay,man against man,the rivalry,the mental duel.
Fun ?
If he wants fun he should to to the circus.

Joseph Kuhr

I think you're missing the main point - there are lots of people making millions out of them playing golf. If nobody involved (bar maybe the course owners) earned anything then fair enough.

I don't get his moaning about having to go to dinner every evening, like he's a 5 year old who isn't allowed leave the table until his dinner is finished. Come on, you're a grown man I'm sure you can stick up for yourself!

MisterAnarchy

Joseph Kuhr wrote: »

I think you're missing the main point - there are lots of people making millions out of them playing golf. If nobody involved (bar maybe the course owners) earned anything then fair enough.

Most of the benefits are indirect.
Playing in the Ryder Cup increases the players profiles,it brings attention to the USPGA and the European Tour,it attracts sponsors,it draws revenue thats reinvested in the tours etc etc.
Golf is a hugely commercial game whether we like it or not.
The top players never had it so good ,the prize money at an average tournament is huge and most of the top 100 golfers are multi millionaires.