Nine-time European Ryder Cup star Colin Montgomerie has joined the growing chorus condemning USA Ryder Cup players being paid to compete in next year’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Park.

Monty represented Europe as a competitor in eight Ryder Cups including being a member of five winning teams before superbly captaining Europe to victory in 2010 at Celtic Manor in Wales.

Colin Montgomerie disgusted to learn USA players will be paid to play in the Ryder Cup.  Image – Ryder Cup EU/Getty

However,  confirmation The PGA of America is to pay members of Keegan Bradley’s side $500,000, $200,000 of which will be simply handed to each player to put in their own bank account or whatever, has not only infuriated other fellow former captains but also current players such as the Irish duo of Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry plus those fans behind the ropes.

And now Monty’s added his disgust to news of the payout.

“What we’re talking about is the evil word, money,” said Monty speaking with SportsBoom.

“It can destroy a lot of things. And I think that golf has been part of that, and we are now talking about one team getting paid to play in the Ryder Cup.

“My God, I mean, I would have paid to play in it, to have the honour to play in the Ryder Cup, never mind wanting money to do so. There’s something a little bit awry with players being paid to play. It leaves a sour taste. You can’t have a competition where one team’s being paid and the other isn’t.

“It could have been used for grass-roots golf. It could be used for ladies’ golf, junior golf, golf in schools. That’s what I was hoping that money would go to as opposed to make the wealthy wealthier.”

And Monty didn’t stop there as he was also asked by SportsBoom his views on LIV Golf stars, such as Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, potentially making Luke Donald’s European side for next year’s match.

“We need them,” he added. “They are great players and they bring passion. I played with Seve Ballesteros and he had that passion and it transmits to the rest of the team.

“So all European fans will be hoping they work something out and those two players in particular are on the team.”