Tiger Woods featured in ‘whiny brats’ rebel group in Ryder Cup prize money row

The Ryder Cup today is the most hotly contested occasion in golf with players from both Europe and the United States just as fired up as the boisterous fans that help make it one of the most fascinating weekends in all of sport. But that hasn’t always been the case and prior to the ‘Battle of Brookline’ in 1999, some players were fairly apathetic in their approach to the biannual matchplay event. Take Tiger Woods for example. Already a double major champion by this point, his view of the Ryder Cup was very different to what it is today. “It’s an exhibition. It always has been,” he said, as per Deseret News . “It’s not meant to be played as a war.” Ryder Cup team-mate David Duval agreed. “It seems like a pretty large corporate outing,” he said. Traditionally, players from either team competing in the Ryder Cup are not paid for the privilege. Technically that is still the case today, but Woods and Duval would challenge that ruling prior to Brookline along with fellow US stars such as Phil Mickelson and Mark O’Meara. The rebel group wanted to know where the reported $23million Ryder Cup profits were going and wanted a share of the proceeds. Tiger Woods, Mark O’Meara and David Duval were amongst the USA’s 1999 Ryder Cup rebels. (Image: Getty) As per Today’s Golfer , Woods said at the time: ‘I would like to see us receive whatever the amount is – 200, 300, 400, 500,000 dollars, whatever it is – and I think we should be able to keep the money and do whatever we see fit. ‘Personally, I would donate all of it to charity. But I think it’s up to the other person’s discretion what they would do with it. With all the money that’s being made, I think that we should have a say in where it goes.’ Veteran Tom Lehman was not on the same page as America’s outspoken group of players and did not hold back in his opinion. “The last thing the tour needs is a label put on us as greedy, wimpy, whiny brats,” he said. The USA captain Ben Crenshaw was unimpressed by the rebel group but eventually offered up an opinion that made it clear that he felt the players should be more focused on the honour of representing their country. Ben Crenshaw did not feel that some USA players valued the Ryder Cup as much as he did. (Image: Getty) He said: “All I can tell you is I’m from a different generation and the Ryder Cup means a lot to me. I’m probably upset because people aren’t as excited about it as I am. I hope that’s not the case.” These days the American players receive $200,000 each but not to for their own personal gain. The money is divided, with half going to the Boys & Girls Club of America, Drive, Chip, and Putt Championship, and PGA Junior League Golf and the other $100,000 going to charities of each player’s choice. One thing that has certainly changed forever, however, is the idea that the Ryder Cup could be in anyone’s eyes an exhibition tournament. It has never meant more to both teams.