Becoming a member of the US Ryder Cup team is on most players’ bucket list. Being allowed to take part in the continental competition not only means experiencing an incomparable week at a first-class team event, but also achieving “fame and glory”. So far at least. Because playing in the Ryder Cup has so far been unpaid. According to a report in The Telegraph newspaper, the twelve American players on the Ryder Cup team will be paid from next year.
400,000 US dollars for the American Ryder Cup players
For several decades now, the question of whether Ryder Cup participants should not be paid has arisen time and again. Last year, the debate flared up again in Rome when it was reported that Patrick Cantlay was not wearing the US team cap in protest at the lack of payment. Previously, US players received 200,000 US dollars for their participation in the team competition, which they could donate to charities of their choice. From now on, however, the players are to receive double that amount and be allowed to put it in their own pockets: 400,000 US dollars. No payment is planned on the European side.
In addition to the “Hat-Gate” surrounding Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele’s father also caused a stir in Rome. He made it clear that he believed the players were entitled to compensation: “If they make profit off this and finance their organization of almost 29,000 [PGA of America] members for four years with the proceeds earned on the backs of these guys here, well, then they should share or they shouldn’t be allowed to do that.” Tiger Woods also said back in 1999: “With all the money that’s being made, we should have a say in where it goes.”
“Not what the Ryder Cup is about”
One European Ryder Cup player told The Telegraph about the change: “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.” Next year’s Ryder Cup will be held at Bethpage Black in the US.