Ex-US Ryder Cup captains OPPOSE compensation for players in letter to PGA of America
U.S. golfers could get $400,000 each if the PGA of America approves the topic of players being compensated in the Ryder Cup.
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Ryder Cup (Image via Golf Monthly)
The Ryder Cup has become a huge talking point in the past few weeks. The biennial tournament which will take place next year at the Bethpage Course in New York, has already started trending. This came after reports of US players being potentially paid came out. Several ex-US Ryder Cup captains have now opposed this.
As per reports from the Telegraph in November, there had been talks in the PGA of America to compensate U.S. players. Though the talks still need approval, it could potentially see stars earning $400,000 each.
This has ignited a massive debate in the golf community. As per reports from Sports Illustrated, a dozen former US Ryder Cup captains have taken a stance against this and wrote a letter to the PGA of America.
The unnamed players reportedly want the board to increase the charitable funds they receive. As of now, team USA players get around $200,000 which they can share it with any charity of their choosing.
This was never intended to get out. 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. It’s given us a lot of great moments in our lives. We’ve just wanted to show support.
An anonymous former captain told Sports Illustrated
???? #NEW: Sports Illustrated reports that a dozen former U.S. Ryder Cup captains sent a letter to the PGA of America to lobby against a plan to pay American Ryder Cup players for their participation. The former captains say they are not against the payments if they are for… pic.twitter.com/6VDyUD9Qb4
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) December 12, 2024
Last week, Tiger Woods and Scottie Scheffler reflected on this topic. Both golfers maintained the stance that they did not want to get paid. Woods affirmed that they want more money to give to the charity.
Meanwhile, Scheffler took a light-hearted jab at this controversy before becoming serious. The World No.1 claimed that he will not say no to getting compensated but expressed that he does not play golf to get paid.
Former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher claims its ‘wrong’ for players to demand compensation from PGA of America
Apart from ex-US Ryder Cup captains, European golfers have also voiced their opinions regarding this matter. Former European Captain Bernard Gallacher has claimed that is it ‘wrong’ for players to demand compensation for appearing in the Ryder Cup.
In an interview with Mirror Sport, the 75-year-old veteran pointed out that players get paid well so they do not need to be compensated more.
They need to find a way round that problem, because it is wrong. They get plenty at the moment, they are all well off.
Bernard Gallacher said
EXCLUSIVE: "It would be so wrong, they are putting the Ryder Cup in jeopardy." ?
— Josh Lees (@joshwlees) December 12, 2024
A passionate interview with Bernard Gallacher, who had his say on potential Ryder Cup pay.
A message for Keegan Bradley too. Playing captaincy? Don't do it! @MirrorSport https://t.co/Sx83VzEtql
In the 2023 edition, rumors surfaced that there was some tension in the American team. Patrick Cantlay was reported to be one of them who was unhappy by not getting paid and thus decided to protest against them by not sporting a cap.
The PGA Tour star later refuted this rumor and expressed that the hat did not fit him and thus he did not wear it.
The matter now is in the hands of the PGA of America. If the board approves the payment, the 2025 edition could mark the first time a player is directly compensated for playing in the Ryder Cup.
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Vinay Dave
(1922 Articles Published)