Great news, Ryder Cup golf fans tired of watching the Europeans routinely stick it to the Americans every two years: Hunter Mahan has pinpointed the reason for the almost-decade-long beatdown administered courtesy of the Sergio Garcia All-Stars. In a Golf magazine story published this week, Mahan said that one reason the Americans don't take the Ryder Cup as seriously as the Europeans is because they don't get paid for playing and are treated like "slaves."Mahan also said that guys like Phil Mickelson or Tiger Woods could one day refuse to participate because, in his words, "this is ridiculous." So, according to Mahan, the Americans don't have the incentive* to play well given all the other demands on their time.
Thing is, he's right, but as the Dallas Morning News' Bill Nichols writes, Mahan took the exact wrong approach by publicizing his comments, even though most everybody on tour would probably agree with him. On the other hand, if this was his not-so-subtle way of announcing to Paul Azinger that he doesn't want to be on the team (even though he's currently 11th in Ryder Cup standings), well, mission accomplished, sir.
* just in case it's not blindingly obvious, incentive = money
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-03-2008 @ 5:08PM
D Balagia said...
Mahan is wrong. Of all the differnt sports figures, pro golfers are the most pampered and catered to. They make millions and never have to win a tournament to do so. Playing on the Ryder Cup team should be the greatest honor they could hope to achieve as they are representing their country. Millions are spent on the players during this week. What more could they ask for....oh, more money!
I used to be a fan of Mahan but not anymore. I'm sure Captain Paul will never pick him now. Good!
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8-04-2008 @ 9:50AM
Bob Wade said...
He's partially right, the American players don't perform as well either because the format is entirely different. The Euro teams are better suited because they are all friends and they have fun together as a loosely knit group. It is not easy to "play for your country" when all year long you play for yourself and try to demolish your native competitors. Plus the whole world is now basically bashing America and all it stands for. I don't feel the players are treated as slaves (they're all multi millionaires) so perhaps they just dislike being thrown into the lions den on the world stage which has not been kind to the US team. Mahan is a great player who will likely incur the wrath of Azinger who is a staunch conservative. So be it.
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9-19-2008 @ 12:48PM
Jeff K said...
Slaves? Because they have to go to a lavish dinner every evening for 4 straight days? Because for 3 days every 2 years they have to PLAY GOLF WITHOUT GETTING PAID FOR IT?
Like most of the hyper-rich in this country, including many of his PGA bretheren, Mahan needs to come back to planet earth where people work 230 days per year just to afford housing & food.
Clue:
Golfers:
http://www.woodsbagot.com.au/en/PublishingImages/Project_Images/Luxury%20Golf%20hotel%20and%20spa_rollup.jpg
Slaves:
http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/03_02/slavesDM2303_468x313.jpg
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