One of the biggest storylines ahead of the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black has nothing to do with golf swings or match pairings—it’s about money. For the first time in Ryder Cup history, Team USA’s players are being paid to compete, while Team Europe continues to play purely for pride.
Team USA Players Paid $500,000 Each
U.S. captain Keegan Bradley confirmed that he and his 12 players will each receive $500,000 from the PGA of America for competing this week.
Of that amount, at least $300,000 must be donated to a charity of each player’s choice, leaving a $200,000 stipend for personal use. Bradley himself pledged to donate his full $500,000, though he acknowledged that not every player would do the same.
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“I think that’s a personal decision,” Bradley said during his Monday press conference. “These guys do a lot with their charities and foundations, and many prefer to keep that private. What matters is that a lot of good will come from this money.”
Xander Schauffele previously hinted that while some critics will question the payouts, the overall impact on charitable causes will be significant:
“I just see it as a whole lot of money going to charity, and we’re going to take a lot of crap,” he told The Associated Press.
Team Europe Refuses to Be Paid
Across the fairway, Team Europe is sticking with tradition. Captain Luke Donald and his players will not receive a single euro for competing—just as it has always been.
Instead, profits from the Ryder Cup go back into the European Tour Group and grassroots golf development across Europe.
“It’s not a week to be paid,” Donald told Sky Sports. “This event is about history, passion, and representing your continent.”
In fact, several European stars—including Rory McIlroy—have publicly said they would pay for the privilege of playing in the Ryder Cup.
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Clashing Philosophies
The split between the two teams has fueled heated debate. Supporters of Europe argue their stance preserves the spirit and honor of the Ryder Cup. Former captain and analyst Paul McGinley even claimed that Europe holds the “moral high ground” by rejecting payment.
Bradley, however, remains unmoved by the criticism.
“I’m not concerned about what Europe does,” he said. “I was tasked by the PGA of America to lead Team USA, and this was the best decision we could make. We modeled some of it on the Presidents Cup. At the end of the day, a lot of good is going to come from this.”
History on the Line
Donald is now aiming to become the first European captain since Tony Jacklin in 1989 to win back-to-back Ryder Cups. Bradley, meanwhile, is focused solely on delivering a third consecutive U.S. victory on home soil.
The golf may not have started yet, but the conversation around money has already made this Ryder Cup one of the most talked-about in history.
