Golf is a better place when Tiger Woods is in town and the 15-time major winner has been having his say on a number of golf matters ahead of the Hero World Challenge this weekend.
Woods is unable to play in the event which he is the host of due to injury but he’s turned up as expected to carry out media and hosting duties as the tournament builds towards tee off.
For Woods, being out injured has become part and parcel of his life as a professional now.
But also for Woods, he’s also become a big spokesman for the PGA Tour and has commented on a number of issues in recent times, such as the potential for a LIV and PGA deal.
However, while that is a topic of conversation, news that Team USA will each receive $400,000 to play in the next Ryder Cup is also a big talking point.
And over at the Hero Challenge, Woods has had his say on the matter.
Tiger Woods gives his honest verdict on Team USA being paid for the Ryder Cup
Speaking to the media ahead of the tournament, Woods was quickly asked about the payments for Team USA.
And as expected, Woods backed the players, albeit with a caveat.
“I hope they get $5 million each and donate it all to charity…We didn’t want to get paid. We wanted to give more money to charity,” Woods said.
“And then the media spun it around and said we wanted to get paid…It’s never really been about getting paid, it’s about allocating funds to help our sport.”
What Tiger Woods has said about Ryder Cup payments previously
Interestingly, Woods has been outspoken on this matter ever since he was in his prime.
Indeed, Woods was not impressed back in the 90s when he claimed that players should be paid after being used by the PGA of America to cash in.
“It’s completely unfair, the way it is now,” Woods said before the 1999 event [via Los Angeles Times]. “I played in one and didn’t enjoy it at all. It’s like ‘pros on parade.’ They take us to a bunch of functions that raise money, yet everybody is compensated except us. Let’s take some of that money and spread it around.”
Woods did, however, remain a touch more coy on the issue back in 2018, with Woods admitting the Ryder Cup was just about winning.
“It’s not about that. It’s just about Team USA and representing our country. That’s all I’ve got to say about that.”
Clearly, then, this is a topic which won’t be going away anytime soon and it’s clear that the players at the top of the game in America have a strong opinion on it.
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