Ex-Ryder Cup captain launches scathing attack in pay row

Reports that players could be paid to play in the 2025 Ryder Cup have caused a storm.

Several players, including Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, have voiced their disapproval of the proposed move.

And now, former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley has added his name to the list – slamming players chasing the cash.

“I personally don’t like it,” he said on Sky Sports from the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

“Look at the bodies who own the Ryder Cup… it’s not like some corporate entity is taking all this money and running away with it.

“I think it’s a shame that this money is going back into grassroots level and now players are looking for their piece as well.

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“I know they are professional sportsman but, boy oh boy, are they not getting paid enough money at the moment, with all that’s going on in the game?”

It was first reported by The Telegraph, who claimed £4 million is set to be split among Team USA’s 12 players next year.

That would amount to over £300,000 per player. But to McGinley, who captained Europe to glory in 2014, teeing it up in the biennial event is worth more.

“The players talk a lot about growing the game, and remember they get huge value out of being a Ryder Cup player – me included,” he added.

“The Ryder Cup really has propelled me, in terms of what I’m doing post-career.

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“It’s a huge brand that you get associated with if you happen to be a Ryder Cup player, so it’s not as if they’re getting nothing out of it.

“Like a lot of things in the game at the moment, it’s a real shame.”

The report suggested that the visitors to the Ryder Cup in New York – led by Luke Donald – are likely to not follow suit.

And, if McGinley is correct, it’s not something players in Europe want.

“That remains to be seen, certainly a lot of the players I’ve talked to aren’t interested in having any money, because they – and I certainly knew – that the money went back into the European Tour,” McGinley said.

“All my colleagues were thrilled with the success of Ryder Cups and supported us because the profits made on this side of the Atlantic went back into the European Tour and they’d play for more prize money down the line.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.