Fifteen years after American players first popped the question, they will be paid to play next year’s Ryder Cup tournament in Bethpage.
However, their European opponents in the biennial transatlantic event will continue to compete solely for pride and glory. Europe is the defending champion and has won ten of the last 14 events.
The PGA of America announced that each of the 12 players on Keegan Bradley’s side will receive $500,000 ($790,000), of which $300,000 ($470,000) will be donated to a charity or charities of each player’s choice.
The remaining $200,000 was called a “scholarship.” Players also receive expenses and gifts.
The PGA of America approved the package despite stating that “no players asked for compensation.”
“Players and captains, past and present, are responsible for making the Ryder Cup the most unique competition in golf and one of the most sought-after events on the international sporting stage,” the organization said in a statement.
Since 1999, when the topic was broached at Brookline, players have been able to donate $200,000 to charity but have not been paid.
US captain Keegan Bradley announced in a text message that he would donate his entire allocation to charity.
When reports of the new pay package first emerged last month, Rory McIlroy was one of several European players who said they did not need a financial incentive to play in the Ryder Cup.
“I would personally pay for the privilege of playing in the Ryder Cup,” McIlroy told reporters.
“I’ve come a long way in this, especially with the Olympics, but currently the two purest forms of competition in our game are the Ryder Cup and the Olympics, partly because of the purity and no money involved.”
An unsubstantiated report from the last Ryder Cup suggested that Patrick Cantlay refused to wear a cap in protest at not being paid, which led to approximately 40,000 fans waving their hats at him until his final 45-foot shot. hole to win the Fourballs match.
“Not an ounce of truth in an article that was written by just one journalist,” Cantlay said during the Ryder Cup.
There are differences in the finances of the Ryder Cup depending on where it is held. The European tour has its share of the Ryder Cup Europe and without profits from matches played in Europe it would be difficult to survive.
The PGA of America is hosting an event in America. It donates 20 percent of broadcast revenues to the PGA Tour – effectively serving as a release fee for the use of tour players – and that money goes into the tour’s overall operating budget.
From AP
