Rory McIlroy insists to “pay for the privilege” in Ryder Cup, hits back at reports of U.S. players getting paid in 2025 event

Rory McIlroy insists he would rather 'pay for the privilege' to play in the Ryder Cup rather than get paid for playing in this event.

Rory McIlroy insists to “pay for the privilege” in Ryder Cup, hits back at reports of U.S. players getting paid in 2025 event

Rory McIlroy (Image via Imago)

Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy has insisted that he would “pay for the privilege” to play in the Ryder Cup. These comments come after reports emerged that U.S. players may get paid for the 2025 event.

According to a report from The Telegraph, the Team USA players could receive a sum of $400,000 each at the Ryder Cup a Bethpage, New York if the board approves it. This could mark the first time in the event’s long history that a player could get directly paid.

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Previously, Team USA players would receive charitable gifts of $200,000 which they could donate to any charity of their choosing. Meanwhile, Team Europe players got paid nothing.

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Reacting to this report, Rory McIlroy fired back at this suggestion of getting paid. The North Irish golfer claimed that he does not think any of the 24 players involved in this biennial event need to get paid 400 grand.

I personally would pay for the privilege to play on the Ryder Cup. The two purest forms of competition in our game right now are the Ryder Cup and the Olympics, and it’s partly because of that, the purity of no money being involved… I don’t think any of the 24 players on either team needs that 400 grand. Every two years, there are 104 weeks and 103 weeks you can play golf and get paid.

Rory McIlroy said as per BBC Sport

McIlroy further added that this discussion was something that was happening in Rome, last year. Several reports emerged last year that U.S. players were unhappy with not getting paid and Patrick Cantlay led the protest by not sporting a cap The American international has since then several times denied this and claimed the cap did not fit him and thus he chose not to wear it.

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Shane Lowry joins Rory McIlroy in reacting to Ryder Cup players getting paid reports

The reports of U.S. players likely getting paid at the Ryder Cup have caused a stir on social media. Several fans and experts have started debating this. Golfer Shane Lowry has joined Rory McIlroy in responding to this and claimed he does not care whether he gets paid or not.

Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy
Shane Lowry (L) and Rory McIlroy (R) [Image via Imago]

Just like McIlroy, Lowry stated that it was a “privilege” to play in the Ryder Cup. The 37-year-old also added that it would be “silly” for him to comment on this matter.

It would probably be silly of me to comment on it, really. Where would I stand on it? I can only speak for myself. I don’t really care whether I did (get paid) or not, to be honest. You know, the Ryder Cup is a privilege, and it’s what I work for.

Shane Lowry said as per Irish Independent

Lowry made his first appearance at this event in 2021 as a captain pick. At the Whistling Straits, he and his team suffered a crushing 19-9 loss, making the biggest losing margin in the tournament’s history.

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Lowry was then selected to play for Team Europe as a captain picked by Luke Donald in 2023. They would bounce back from this heavy defeat two years ago with an emphatic victory in Rome. In his two appearances, Lowry has registered just 1.5 points, which is something he would look to improve if he gets selected for the 2025 edition.