The US Ryder Cup team will be paid millions of dollars to play in the 2025 matches against Europe.
The Telegraph first reported the furious debate on remuneration for Ryder Cup players that broke out at the 2023 edition would result in financial rewards for Team USA at Bethpage.
The PGA of America confirmed on December 17 2024, that US players will receive a $200,000 stipend plus $300,000 to give to charity.
The debate reached a boiling point in Rome when it was alleged Patrick Cantlay was so strongly in demand of Ryder Cup pay that he refused to wear a team cap.
Further branches of the furore grew earlier in 2024 when the price of a day ticket in New York, about $750 a head, was widely shared on social media which led to some fans questioning if those wanting a Ryder Cup cheque weren’t so outlandish after all.
There’s no sign that Team Europe’s players will be paid too. In 2023, European captain Luke Donald strongly opposed the concept of being paid to play in the Ryder Cup.
“It’s one week where you play for more than yourself, not about money or points, it’s about coming together as a team and the fans feed off that – it’s all passion. I don’t think we should ever get paid,” he said.
It is regarded as an honour for players, and multi-millionaires, from Europe and the United States to play at the Ryder Cup. Each time the qualification process starts, every player has one aim: to compete for their respective teams and fight for the famous gold trophy.
The PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and LIV Golf take a backseat while the best 12 players from each team play collectively and not individually for one special week.
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Do Ryder Cup players get paid?
The answer had been a simple no. None of the 24 players who compete at the Ryder Cup used to get paid. Even the winning team weren’t compensated for their efforts.
The winning Ryder Cup team in 2023 was Luke Donald’s Europe who keep the trophy and an enormous sense of pride.
The PGA of America used to allocate $200,000 which the US players gave to charity. In 2021 at Whistling Straits, each player was given $100,000 for a charity of their choice.
Now, US players will be paid and can give their $200,000 stipend to charity too which is what 2025 US captain Keegan Bradley intends. But the point stands that Team USA will be given a six-figure sum to use as they choose.
On the European side, the Ryder Cup captains have been known to dish out gifts. In 2018, the winning captain Thomas Bjorn reportedly gave a Rolex watch to each of his winning team members.
This was a tradition that began in 1983 with captain Tony Jacklin. When the event first began in 1927, players were compensated and British players had their travel, clothing and equipment allowance subsidised.
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