There are many predictions before the start of the Ryder Cup, a prestigious golf tournament. The public has mixed emotions about this competition, not knowing who could celebrate in the end. The European legend of the Ryder Cup, Tony Jacklin, is not optimistic about the success of the US team, and seems to base his opinion mostly on the fact that the European team will not be paid.
In an interview with the media, Jacklin referred to the earnings of the US team, but also of the European team, which earns money in specific ways.
"The perceived wisdom seems to be that the Europe Ryder Cup makes a few million in spin-offs," he said.
"I can tell you I never saw any of that.
Not anything even anything remotely like that. And for the first time, just through sheer greed, each member of the US team will get $500,000, but $300,000 must go to charity.
That leaves them with $200,000 and people are saying, 'that's a piffling amount for those multi-millionaires'.
Piffling! I never got a cheque so big. But that's the way it is. Now they are going off to LIV for $100m. Would I have gone?"
The well-known face of the golf scene stresses that he would likely accept LIV Golf's offer and build his career on the controversial Tour. The financial offers of the Saudi-backed Tour are hard to refuse.
"It's hard to put my feet in those shoes, but probably, yes. Yet what I would say is that there is no buying history and we should we all be reminded of that at Bethpage.
When Europe win, money wont mean a thing and it will be bloody wonderful."
Golf before vs now
Drawing a parallel between golf then and now, it is clear that there are many differences. These differences are felt not only in golf, but in many sports. Money has become the main tool for everything, and the best indicator of this is this year's Ryder Cup, the first edition where the players will have a financial injection.
There is not much left until the start of the prestigious competition, and the excitement is at its peak.
Analysts and experts have different predictions, but the general feeling prevails that money could spoil the ambitions of US fans.
