For the first time in the 98-year history of the Ryder Cup, one side will be paid to compete. On Monday, Dec. 16, the PGA of America’s board announced they’ll pay American players starting with next year’s event.
The Americans will receive $500,000 for participating in the bi-annual tournament. Officials said $300,000 will go to a charity of their choice.
The other $200,000 will be a stipend that’ll go directly to the 12 players selected for the U.S. team. The PGA of America met last week to approve the payments and outlined why in a statement.
“We added the $200,000 stipend out of respect for the players … so the players could have a say in where the money goes,” PGA of America President Don Rea said in a letter to past Ryder Cup captains. “It’s recognition for all the players have done for the Ryder Cup over the years.”
“The players and captains, past and present, are responsible for the Ryder Cup becoming the most special competition in golf and one of the most in-demand events on the international sports scene,” the PGA said. “Golf is a long-established vehicle for good and it’s exciting to imagine the impact the members of the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup team will deliver for worthy causes and communities across the country, including the many initiatives that support the growth of the game.”
The pay-for-play issue has been simmering for some time. It came to the surface during last year’s event in Rome. During the event, Patrick Cantlay reportedly refused to wear a Team USA cap. He did it in protest of the fact that players weren’t paid.
The European side, winners of 10 of the last 14 Ryder Cups, also weighed in on the controversy.
“It’s all for the passion of golf, I don’t think we should ever get paid,” captain Luke Donald told the Telegraph.
Northern Ireland star Rory McIlroy told BBC Sport he would personally pay for the privilege to play in the matches instead of the other way around.
He called the Ryder Cup one of “the purest forms of competition because of the purity of no money being involved.”
When asked last week, Tiger Woods compared the cup to the original structure of charity payments in 1999.
“The Ryder Cup itself makes so much money,” Woods said. “Why can’t we allocate it to various charities? And what’s wrong with each player, 12 players getting a million dollars and the ability to divvy out to amazing charities that they’re involved in that they can help out?”
