Paul McGinley takes aim at American golfers over decision he believes hurts the sport

Europe’s squad will get ready at Wentworth in England, while the Americans head to Silverado Resort North Course in Napa, California.

But the choice of venues has not gone down well with everyone. Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley spoke on Off The Ball about how he feels the sport could do more to grow globally.

“There are all these kind of initiatives about growing the game around the world and a lot of it is blah, blah,” he said.

“The biggest way of growing the game is for the superstars to get on the road and go around the world and travel.”

“It’s one of my bug bears about professional golf at the moment. The players have so much leverage, they are making so much money, they can dictate their own schedules and a lot of them don’t want to leave America.

“It is a real shame because I know back in the day at the Irish Open, I know they used to pay appearance money and that’s okay.

“The problem is at the top of the game. The appearance money that top players want to come and play something like an Irish Open is just astronomical that it’s just not economically viable when they are making so much money everywhere else.”

He added: “As a result, the top players, particularly the American ones, don’t come and travel enough. It’s a real shame because I think they would really enjoy it.

“I think it would be good for their games, it would be good to experience different cultures, it would be good for them to bring their families over and enjoy what we have to give on the European Tour.

“We get criticised a lot on the European Tour but culturally we are phenomenal and arguably the best tour in the world culturally and it’s a shame we don’t have more of the world’s very, very top players coming to play it.”

Ryder Cup players absent from the BMW PGA and Procore Championships

As another Ryder Cup approaches, McGinley’s comments coincide with the American team’s unsurprising decision to remain on home soil.

However, Irish Open fans still had plenty to cheer about, with American pair Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed among those who made the journey to Kildare.

Beyond that, attention naturally centred on McIlroy, who delivered for the local supporters with a performance that matched their energy.

Due to his LIV Golf status, Bryson DeChambeau will not participate in the PGA Tour’s Procore Championship. However, he is anticipated to be in Napa to support his teammates off-course.

Xander Schauffele has also pulled out of the Procore Championship. The remaining members of Team USA are still expected to feature in Napa.