The Ryder Cup is rapidly approaching, where the United States will be looking to avoid being upset on home soil by Team Europe.
No team has won an away Ryder Cup since 2012, when Europe pulled off the Miracle at Medinah in Illinois.
That Ryder Cup success also represents the greatest comeback in the history of the tournament, which returns at Bethpage Black next week.
United States captain Keegan Bradley will be doing his utmost to ensure that the situation is not repeated in New York, having taken over in the role from Zach Johnson.
But Brandel Chamblee thinks there is an underlying issue concerning the hosts as they count down the days to the team tournament.
Brandel Chamblee thinks the United States team have an underlying Ryder Cup issue
The issue concerns the matter of players being paid, with the US Ryder Cup team set to receive money for the first time in the event’s 98-year history.
Speaking of the Ryder Cup on The Favourite Chamblee podcast, Chamblee said: “I hope that it is close because the last five haven’t been, but I think there is this not talked about, but we will probably talk about it the week of the Ryder Cup, but this underlying element might percolate to some extent and keep the fans as being as partisan as they otherwise might be.
“Players have played for the honour of playing for their country and as so doing, carrying the hopes of millions of people, as you embody the values and spirit of your country on the world stage.
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“This year the US team has demanded to be paid. Asking to be paid for the privilege of representing your country is antithetical to the honour of it. It would be like doing a favour for a friend and then afterwards asking to be paid for it.
“Tell me that does not dishonour the gesture. I think that will prove to be some corrupting element to the US side.
“I think that it won’t sit particularly well with people who are profoundly patriotic in the New York area and I think that will percolate and have an effect on the Ryder Cup.
“You can look at the paper and the average world ranking but the Ryder Cup is about so much more than that, it’s about group dynamics.”
Keegan Bradley doesn’t need Ryder Cup money distraction at Bethpage Black
It is believed that each United States Ryder Cup player will receive $400,000 for appearing at Bethpage Black, having previously been awarded a figure to give to charity.
In stark contrast to the situation with the US team, European Ryder Cup players haven’t thought about payment for representing their side.
Moreover, Rory McIlroy would pay to play at the Ryder Cup, with the Northern Irishman simply grateful for the opportunity to represent his side at the prestigious event.
It is, however, worth noting that it is unknown just how each American feels about being paid, while many could indeed continue the charitable donation trend instead.
But the matter itself has certainly died down since it emerged late last year, with excitement having since turned to the action as opposed to any background matters.
The race for qualifying and Bradley’s picks have dominated the narrative, and the captain will be eager to avoid any unnecessary distractions between now and the first tee shot, including any money changing hands.
Bradley has done an admirable job up to now, and needs everyone pulling in the right direction and focused on the task at hand from start to finish.
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