In a huge shock to golf fans the world over the PGA of America has agreed to pay American players who compete in next year’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Park.
The PGA of America indicated that each of the 12 players on Keegan Bradley’s side will receive $500,000 with $300,000 to be donated to a charity or charities chosen by each player while the remaining $200,000 has been termed a “stipend”.
Stipend is defined as a form of compensation that is paid to certain individuals for services rendered, other work, or while they receive training. Stipends are often provided in lieu of or (in some cases) in addition to a regular salary. They are often used to offset certain expenses and generally come in a fixed amount.
Bethpage Park and the Ryder Cup – Image PGA of America
The PGA of America approved the package despite saying “no players asked to be compensated”.
“The players and captains, past and present, are responsible for the Ryder Cup becoming the most special competition in golf and one of the most in-demand events on the international sports scene,” the PGA of America said in a statement.
“While no players asked to be compensated, the PGA of America board of directors has voted to increase the allocation to the members of the US Ryder Cup team from 200,000 dollars to be directed to charities – a figure unchanged since 1999 – to 500,000 dollars, with 300,000 dollars of that to be directed to the charity or charities of the players’ choice.
“The balance is a stipend.
“Golf is a long-established vehicle for good and it’s exciting to imagine the impact the members of the 2025 US Ryder Cup team will deliver for worthy causes and communities across the country, including the many initiatives that support the growth of the game.”
When reports of the new compensation package first emerged last month, Rory McIlroy was one of several European players who said after the first round of the DP World Tour Championship that they did not need a financial incentive to play in the Ryder Cup.
“I personally would pay for the privilege to play in the Ryder Cup,” McIlroy told reporters in Dubai.
“I have come a long way in this, especially with the Olympics, but the two purest forms of competition in our game right now are the Ryder Cup and Olympics, partly because of the purity of no money being involved.”
