Luke Donald couldn’t resist stoking the fire of the Ryder Cup rivalry on Wednesday when he took a brutal dig at Team USA.
The European captain landed a haymaker early when addressed the hometown-heavy crowd in New York at the Ryder Cup opening ceremony ahead of the showdown kicking off on Friday.
The Englishman, who captaining the side for a second time, has used his opponents’ $200,000 stipend as ammunition to rile up the Americans throughout the buildup to the bust-up at Bethpage Black.
And he didn’t hesitate to take aim at his rivals once again in front of a raucous New York crowd.
‘It is not about prize money or world ranking points,’ Donald pointedly stated during his opening ceremony. ‘It’s about pride. It’s about representing your flag, your shirts, and the legacy you leave behind.’
Just moments later he landed another blow, adding: ‘We’re fueled by something money cannot buy.’
Luke Donald couldn’t resist stoking the fire of the Ryder Cup rivalry on Wednesday
The European captain took a savage dig at the Americans’ $200,000 to play the Ryder Cup
While Donald has attempted to rouse his team and their fans back across the pond, Keegan Bradley’s Americans have a weapon of their own: The notoriously boisterous New York fanbase.
Donald acknowledged that his roster of visitors would receive far from a warm welcome from New Yorkers, who have a reputation for brutally heckling their own athletes, never mind their rivals.
‘The American team is rightly proud of their heritage, but so are we,’ said Donald, who had guide Europe to victory on home soil in Rome just two years ago.
‘Our European legacy is rooted in resilience, in togetherness and in proving people wrong. Time and again, we’ve shown that when we come together as one with a shared purpose, we can achieve remarkable things.
‘What a place to try and do it again: New York City! New York is a place where if you show up with talent and a fighting spirit, the city will get behind you. Although maybe not if you’re wearing European blue this week.
‘We know what awaits us; Bethpage isn’t exactly shy. This is New York sports country, passionate, loyal, and ferociously loud, and rightly so.
‘You the fans here respect effort over ego. You show up for those who grind, for those who fight, and for those who rise to the big occasions. And you make us earn every cheer.
‘We may not be your team, but we will give you something to respect, something to admire, and maybe by the end of this week, something to cheer for.’
The Englishman also acknowledged the fierce New York crowd during the ceremony
Donald announced the members of his European team as they look for an away victory
The passionate figurehead is striving to achieve a goal that hasn’t been done in 13 years: Win away from home.
It’s something the Europeans haven’t accomplished since the Miracle of Medinah in 2012. And something that’s taken even longer for the Americans – over 30 years.
‘Two years ago, we wrote a chapter in Rome. This week in New York, we aim to write history,’ Donald continued.
‘We didn’t come here just to be a part of the show. We came here to earn our place in Ryder Cup folklore. We’re not just playing to win, we’re playing for each other and for every young golfer back home who dreams about one day representing Team Europe.
‘We know it won’t be easy; winning away never is. Only four European teams have done it before. But that’s the beauty of sport. The toughest roads lead to the greatest rewards.’
Each American player will receive $500,000 for their participation this week. From that sum, $300,000 will go to a charity of the player’s choosing, with the other $200,000 effectively serving as a paycheck, should they choose to accept it.
The Europeans are looking to retain the cup after clinching a dominant victory in Rome
The consensus across the Americans this week has been that they intend to donate their entire salary to charity, including Patrick Cantlay who was the target for European fans’ taunting in 2023 for his alleged refusal to wear a Team USA hat in protest against not being paid. He later denied those claims.
Despite Donald and the Europeans’ pride in playing for free, that hasn’t meant they haven’t received gifts of other means.
Rolex watches were gifted to not only each player on the team – but their caddies, wives and girlfriends as well.
Whether Donald’s digs are enough to boost Europe to an away victory remains to be seen. Come Friday, money will be the furthest thing from his players’ minds when they step on the first tee to kick off their showdown against the USA.
