The PGA of America-approved payment package for U.S. Ryder Cup participants is set at $500,000, including a $200,000 stipend.
The PGA of America voted and confirmed on Monday that it will also increase prize money to charities of players' choice to $300,000, for a total of $500,000.
PGA of America President Don Ray said in a letter to former Ryder Cup captains: “Out of respect for the players, we have increased the stipend by $200,000 so that the players can have a say in where the money goes. “It's a recognition of all the players who have done so much for the Ryder Cup over the years.”
In addition to the charitable contributions, starting in 2025, each player and team captain Keegan Bradley will receive a $200,000 stipend along with Bethpage's fees. Bradley said he has pledged to donate the entire amount, including the stipend, to charity.
Bradley acknowledged that the rule changes had been discussed for months and were a departure from the rules established in 1927 when the first Ryder Cup was played.
To date, European members have not been paid to participate in the Ryder Cup.
In Rome in 2023, $200,000 from each player on the U.S. roster was donated to charity. Players and captains from both teams were paid at the Presidents Cup in Montreal.
But captain Luke Donald and several players suggested last month that European Ryder Cup golfers would not be paid, citing their “passion” for golf and their country.
“This is a week where you're playing for more than just yourself,” Donald told The Daily Telegraph. “It's… not about money or points, it's about coming together as a team and the fans feed off that – it's It’s all about passion. I don’t think we should get paid.”
Rory McIlroy says European teams will not be affected by the PGA of America's payment vote. DP World Tour represents European players in Ryder Cup matters.
“I personally would pay for the privilege of playing in the Ryder Cup,” McIlroy told BBC Sport last month. “The two purest forms of competition in our game right now are the Ryder Cup and the Olympics, partly for that reason – the purity of not having money involved.”
McIlroy said he understands “the other side of the coin” because a lot of money is made in the event. He said Donald brought the players together to discuss their positions after understanding the tendencies of American golfers. But McIlroy said the consensus among Team Europe was to donate the money to the DP World Tour for other purposes.
“That $5 million would be better spent elsewhere on the DP World Tour to support other events and even the Challenge Tour,” McIlroy said.
“I think if money doesn't change the status quo, we'd all welcome it, but money does change the status quo. That's why I think everyone is – let's not do this.”
–Scene-level media
