2x major champion Xander Schauffele breaks silence regarding Ryder Cup pay controversy ahead of The Sentry
Ahead of The Sentry, Xander Schauffele reflected on the Ryder Cup pay controversy and spoke on how they now have more money to give.
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Xander Schauffele (Image via Golf Magazine)
In December 2024, the PGA of America made a major announcement regarding the Ryder Cup. The board approved the payment of U.S. players. Ahead of The Sentry, two-time major champion Xander Schauffele broke his silence regarding this controversial topic.
The talks of U.S. players being directly compensated in this tournament had been going on for a while. In November of last year, reports emerged that the talks could finally come to fruition.
From the 2025 edition, the U.S. players will receive $500,000 as payment. $300,000 will go to charity will $200,000 will be a stipend. Previously, the golfers received $200,000 which they could donate to any charity of their choosing.
This topic has ignited wild reactions across social media. Before teeing off in the first event of the new season, Schauffele broke his silence regarding this matter and claimed that they (U.S. players) would take a lot of “c**p” for this.
Schauffele also added that he was looking at this as an opportunity to give away more money. He even took a shot at the media and blamed them for people’s perception on this matter.
I just see it as a whole lot of money going to charity and we’re going to take a lot of c**p... I’m looking at it as an opportunity to give away more money. It’s never going to be perceived that way, just with how the media talks about stuff and how things shook down in Italy. It’s going to go to charity.
Xander Schauffele said as per Associated Press
??⛳️ Xander Schauffele gives his thoughts on U.S. golfers receiving payments for Ryder Cup participation, and blames the media for peoples perception on the issue. (Via @AP)
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) January 2, 2025
"I'm looking at it as an opportunity to give away more money…”
“It's never going to be perceived that… pic.twitter.com/kY9qfFFJBL
The pay-for-play issue first flared up in 1999 and then again in 2023. During the previous edition, reports emerged that Patrick Cantlay had refused to sport a hat as the players were not getting paid. The golfer would later deny all these rumors and claim that the hat did not fit him.
The name of Xander Schauffele was also thrown into this mix. He and Cantlay are reported to be close friends in real life and thus were leading a split in the dressing room.
Scahuffele’s father, Stefan, claimed that he (Xander) almost lost his spot on the team over some disagreements with the PGA of America regarding player benefits. The golfer would later defend his father’s comments and claim that his words were twisted.
Xander Schauffele says Ryder Cup payment will make rivalry more intense
Over the years, Team USA and Team Europe have traded heavy blows to each other. After losing by a massive score at the Whistling Straits in 2021, Team Europe punched back with a dominating win at the Marco Simone course in Italy in 2023. With the next edition at the Bethpage Course in the US, Xander Schauffele has claimed that Ryder Cup payment will make this rivalry more intense.
Unlike the U.S. players, European golfers do not receive a single penny even for charity. Several Team Europe have rejected the idea of getting paid to play in this event and rather consider playing in this tournament as a “privilege“.
The way the whole thing is shaking down, it’s good for this big rivalry. And it’s going to be better for the Ryder Cup. Whenever there’s like a feud, what happens? It juices everything up around it.
Xander Schauffele said
The pressure will no doubt be on the shoulders of Team USA to deliver. As the new season kicks off, captain Keegan Bradley will likely be keeping a close on how the players perform as they hope to bounce back from the big defeat in 2023.
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Vinay Dave
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