Ryder Cup 2025: Trouble Over Team USA Payments
For the first time in the event’s history, the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of America will pay players on the US Ryder Cup team. The PGA has confirmed that it will initiate the compensation from the Bethpage Black matches in 2025.
The PGA released an official statement clarifying that the decision to pay players was made solely by the board, neither requested nor influenced by the player.
Additionally, the board stated that the team’s captain will receive a $200,000 personal stipend. The donation amount was set to increase from $200,000 to $300,000, which will be donated to the NGO of each player’s choice.
At the age of 39, Keegan Bradley was appointed as the captain of the US Ryder Cup team on July 8, 2024. He is the second-youngest captain in team history after Arnold Palmer, who became captain at just 34 in 1963.
Each USA Ryder Cup team consists of 12 players, out of which six are automatic qualifiers and six are captain’s picks. Four out of six automatic qualifiers for the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup Team locked in are Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, JJ Spaun, and Bryson DeChambeau.
Who all were against the decision of compensating?
Soon after the announcement, a wave of criticism spread in the golf world. 12 former captains of the US Ryder Cup, including Ben Crenshaw, Tom Watson, and Tom Lehman, penned a letter to the PGA of America expressing their concerns over the decision.
As per one of the captains,
“This was done with the idea that you should play for your country and not reap financial benefit… We are trying to honor those who came before us and honor the Ryder Cup.”
Captains emphasized that while charitable donations were acceptable and in line with the spirit of the game, compensating the player risked turning it into a revenue-driven game, undermining patriotism.
Players from other countries also opposed the decision to compensate the USA team, arguing it could undermine the spirit of national pride and demotivate international players.
European player Rory McIlroy expressed his disappointment and love for the game and said,
“I’d pay to play in the Ryder Cup.”
Scottie Scheffler stood by the decision, stating that it would not affect the event’s integrity. He emphasized that the majority of the amount was designated for charity, which would help boost player motivation while preserving the spirit of the game.
What was the Justification of the PGA?
A few former U.S. Ryder players felt that the decision could weaken the board’s foundation in time. The PGA released a press release regarding the criticism.
The board stated that the decision was taken to recognize players’ contributions toward making the event one of the most celebrated in the country.
The Ryder Cup goes beyond competition and aims to support initiatives like the PGA of America REACH Foundation’s veteran program and PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere).
The board officials assured that the Ryder Cup “has always embodied and will continue to uphold” the spirit of patriotism.
