Americans will be paid to play in the Ryder Cup for the first time under a new PGA of America plan announced Monday that will provide them with a $200,000 stipend and allocate $300,000 to charity.
The $500,000 to be distributed to each of the 12 players and captains is an increase from the $200,000 (strictly for charitable purposes) that began when pay-to-play issues first arose before the Brookline game in 1999.
Team USA captain Keegan Bradley said in a text message that he will donate his entire allocation to charity.
“Out of respect for the players, we’re increasing the stipend by $200,000…so 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,” President Don · Ray said in a letter to the former Ryder Cup captain, noting that the prize money will be separate from the fees players receive.
The PGA of America’s board of directors met in person last week and approved the payment plan.
“We’ve had a lot of meetings over a long time and there hasn’t been an increase since 1999. We’ve been talking about $200,000 for 25 years,” Rea said in a phone interview, adding that $50 Million dollars “looked like the right place to land.”
“Everyone appreciates what the players have done for the Ryder Cup.”
That appreciation now includes paying them directly for their services, and not only does the amount change, but it increases by 40%, with no stipulation on where the money goes.
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The original agreement in 1999 was for $200,000 per player, with half going to the college golf program and the other half to a charity of the player’s choice. For the 2023 Rome game, all $200,000 is donated to a charity or foundation of the player’s choice.
In his letter to the former Ryder Cup captain, Wray noted that this is similar to what the PGA Tour did for the Presidents Cup.
Starting in 2022, the Presidents Cup will change from a player-chosen charity to players and captains receiving an unconditional $250,000.
The PGA of America announced the decision in a statement on its social media channels.
“Players and captains past and present are responsible for making the Ryder Cup the most special event in golf and one of the most popular events in international sport,” the PGA said.
“While no players have requested compensation, the PGA Board of Directors has voted to increase the allocation for U.S. Ryder Cup team members to the charity from $200,000 (a figure that has not changed since 1999) to $500,000 dollars, $300,000 of which will be donated to a charity or charities of the player’s choice, with the balance being a stipend.
“Golf is a historic charity game, and it is exciting to imagine the impact members of the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup team will have on worthy causes and communities across the country, including those who support the growth of the game. Many initiatives.”
The recent pay-per-view has become a talking point for next September’s game at Bethpage Black, providing easy fodder for a European side that has won the cup 10 times out of the past 14 times, including Cup 2023 at Marco Simeone.
“I’m personally willing to pay for the privilege of playing in the Ryder Cup,” Rory McIlroy said in an interview. BBC Sport last month. “The two purest forms of competition in our game right now are the Ryder Cup and the Olympics, and part of that is … the purity of not having money involved.”
An unconfirmed report from the last Ryder Cup claimed that Patrick Cantlay refused to wear a hat in protest that he wasn’t being paid, which led to some 40,000 fans waving their hats at him until his final match The 45-foot putt won the four-ball tournament.
“There is not an ounce of truth in this article written by just one reporter,” Cantlay said at the Ryder Cup.
The Ryder Cup’s financial situation varies depending on where it is held. The European Tour has a strong presence in Europe at the Ryder Cup and without the profits from the European competition, the Tour would struggle to survive.
The PGA of America operates the tournament in the United States. It pays the PGA Tour 20 percent of broadcast revenue — effectively as a distribution fee for using tour players — and that money goes into the tour’s general operating budget.
Kerry Haigh, chief tournament officer and interim CEO of the PGA of America, paints a picture of the changing landscape in sports.
“Twenty-five years later, the time is now,” Haigh said. “There were discussions at the time. We sincerely thank every player and captain for everything they have done and all the money was donated to the charity. Now is the time and that is why our board has decided to give more money to the charity as well allowance.”
He said the assistant captain’s package was also smaller than that of the 12 players and captain.
Tiger Woods said the conversation in the Bahamas two weeks ago was the same as it was in 1999, when he said players wanted more say in how money is spent, but that was framed as them wanting to be paid for playing.
“The Ryder Cup itself makes a lot of money,” Woods said. “Why can’t we allocate it to various charities? How does it feel for each player that 12 players received $1 million and were able to donate the money to the amazing charities they were involved with to help?” What’s going on?”
Now, the players get the best of both worlds: $300,000 for their charity and $200,000 for themselves.
