Sir Nick Faldo weighs in on US stars’ Ryder Cup pay demand and Rory McIlroy’s stance

Nick Faldo has always been straight-talking when it comes to his views on the sport.

Back in November, Rory McIlroy made it clear how much the event means to him, saying he would pay out of pocket just for the chance to play.

During the 2023 event in Rome, Patrick Cantlay sparked debate by going hatless, reportedly as a silent protest over players not being compensated.

This year, things are different. Team USA are now being paid for their participation at Bethpage Black.

Each player is set to earn $500,000, though $300,000 of that must be donated to charity.

Faldo was asked about this change during an appearance on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast, and replied: “It’s amazing how that makes a great player try even harder. I want a medal [at the Olympics] or when you come to the Ryder Cup, I want to win my point.

“I want to walk away from my week having done my bit, so you play with passion.

“I will say it jokingly, whoever negotiated for the American team. To think you were right unprepared, you bump five weeks off, you lost in Rome and somebody managed to negotiate even more money for them! He’s the hero! I mean, seriously.

“But I would still to this day be prepared to play for the point, not for prize money.

“We managed to get pocket money, I think we managed to get to £3,000 by the time we finished, but the first ones we probably got £30 for the week. It was nothing. But who cares? You were playing America and Jack and Tom and Trevino!“ he concluded.

Rory McIlroy addresses the payment of US Ryder Cup players

When news broke that American players would be paid for their participation in the Ryder Cup, McIlroy did not hold back about how he felt.

The Northern Irishman said: “I personally would pay for the privilege to play on the Ryder Cup.

“It was a discussion that was happening in Rome. I can see the other side of the argument because the Ryder Cup does create a lot of revenue.

“It is one of the probably top five biggest sporting events in the world. So I get the argument that the talent should be or could be getting paid.

“But the Ryder Cup is so much more than that, especially to the Europeans and to this tour.”

The Ryder Cup holds much more significance across Europe than in America, as is clear when listening to Sir Nick Faldo and Rory McIlroy speak about it so passionately.

This is not suggesting that Americans do not want to win The Ryder Cup. Of course, they do. It is simply acknowledging that every single European player shares an inherent love for it, which has always been there.