Historically, players have never been paid to represent their respective teams whilst competing at the Ryder Cup, but this set to change for US players heading to Bethpage Black
15:40, 13 Nov 2024
Members of the United States Ryder Cup team are set to be paid to represent their country for the very first time, with the PGA of America making £4 million available for those competing in 2025.
Players on both sides have never been paid for playing in the matchplay clash, with the event often priding itself on payment not being offered to those in action. The trip to Bethpage Black however will see this change, with The Telegraph reporting that US members will paid for their efforts.
Per the report, the change will not likely be officially be made until a new PGA of America chief executive is appointed, with the proposal calling on each member of the team to take home £315,000.
The change comes after the United States team were embroiled in controversy during last year's defeat on European soil at Marco Simone. The event was marred by a reported fallout between Patrick Cantlay and his teammates, with it claimed the PGA Tour star believed he should be paid to compete.
In response to the disagreement, it was reported by Sky Sports that the US locker room was left fractured, with Cantlay opting to not wear a cap throughout the three-day event in protest. When questioned on the issue, the American denied his choice to not wear headwear was in protest, but refused to rule out his belief that players should be paid to play.
"The hat doesn't fit. It didn't fit at Whistling Straits, and didn't fit this week. Everyone knows that," he said at Marco Simone last September." Quizzed on whether he felt he should be financially rewarded for wearing red white and blue, Cantlay claimed: "It's not about that. It's just about Team USA and representing our country.
Follow us on X for the best and latest in sports news
Pressed for a more concrete answer, he said: "That's all I've got to say about that." Cantlay would not be the first to call on Ryder Cup pay, with the great Tiger Woods also raising the debate back in 1999. “I would like to see us receive whatever the amount is – 200, 300, 400, 500,000 dollars," said Woods.
"Whatever it is – and I think we should be able to keep the money and do whatever we see fit. Personally, I would donate all of it to charity. But I think it’s up to the other person’s discretion what they would do with it. With all the money that’s being made, I think that we should have a say in where it goes.”
It is also expected that Team Europe players will not be paid when competing at Bethpage Black, with one unnamed European player telling the report: "They can do whatever they want. But we don’t want payments in our bank accounts, as it’ll be the thin end of the wedge and is not what the Ryder Cup is about
"Let’s face it, a lot of the American players have been angling towards this for years, if not decades. If it does go ahead, then it will be interesting to see how the fans react at Bethpage, although they’ll probably announce it as just an extension of what already happens.”