The PGA of America will be aware that they have certainly opened themselves up for criticism should Europe become the first away team since 2012 to win the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black next week.
The Ryder Cup at Bethpage has the potential to elevate what is arguably already the greatest event in the game to another level. It is incredibly difficult to call which captain will be leaving New York with the Samuel Ryder trophy.
Of course, the PGA of America initially stunned many by announcing Keegan Bradley as the captain last year. Bradley was playing some of the best golf of his career at the time, and it immediately opened the door for the possibility of the 2011 PGA Championship winner making his own team.
Ultimately, Bradley decided that he would be better off focusing solely on the captaincy. But that is not the only controversial decision the governing body made.
Tom Watson criticises decision made by the PGA of America ahead of the Ryder Cup
One of the big talking points during the 2023 Ryder Cup was the reports that some of the American team were unhappy about not being paid to play in the event. It led to the incredible scenes in which the European fans were waving their caps at Patrick Cantlay.
Obviously, everyone involved played down the reports. But it was announced ahead of this year’s event that those on Team USA will receive $500,000, with $300,000 to go to charity.
In truth, it would be a surprise if any of the players kept any of the money. But it has not been a popular move, with Tom Watson telling Golf Central that he is against the move.
“I don’t agree with it. They gave us some money for our favoured charities,” he said.
“I think that was the right thing to do for the players, but I just don’t think that the players should be paid. They should be playing for their country and their teammates.”
Tom Watson suggests the player who would have made a good Ryder Cup captain
While you can have a little sympathy for the American players who are probably seeing a lot of people higher up making a lot of money off the back of the Ryder Cup, it does feel like a huge own goal. And it will come back to haunt them if Europe win. Europe will not be paid for featuring in the event.
Watson, of course, knows how it feels to come in for criticism after the Ryder Cup having endured a tough second spell as captain in 2014.
The PGA of America perhaps tried to recapture the magic of his first stint. Watson remains the last American captain to win the Ryder Cup on European soil.
But Watson did not always endear himself to his players at Gleneagles. So it is certainly fair to say that the PGA of America have a mixed record when it comes to picking their captains.
Justin Leonard admitted he was surprised he was never asked to be captain. And Watson also suggested that he was confused that Larry Nelson never got a chance.
“Larry certainly has a great Ryder Cup record. He was overlooked on being captain and that was disappointing for him and a lot of people,” he added.
“The fact is that you can only pick a single captain every two years, but I like Larry and highly respect him as a golfer and a person. He would have made a good Ryder Cup captain.”
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