Keegan Bradley ‘disappointed’ by Ryder Cup leaks

US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley has broken his silence on reports his players will be paid to play in next year’s match.

The Telegraph first reported that each American player to tee it up at Bethpage Black would receive a $400,000 cash payment.

And, speaking to Sports Illustrated, Bradley addressed the speculation while insisting he was ‘disappointed’ that payment talks were leaked.

“To be honest with you, there’s not much to talk about; these leaks that came out were leaks,” he said during the Hero World Challenge Pro-Am.

“I was shocked to see the leaks, as was the PGA of America. As was everybody involved. There’s been nothing that’s been finalised, done. This is all speculation at this point.

“I was definitely disappointed that someone leaked out that information. That was a shock, for sure.”

• Tiger Woods has controversial take on Ryder Cup pay row

• Brooks Koepka has dig at Rory McIlroy ahead of PGA Tour-LIV Golf ‘grudge match’

Tiger Woods is hosting the event in The Bahamas this week, in which Bradley – a left-field captaincy appointment for the 2025 Ryder Cup – is one of 20 players in the field.

At his annual press conference on Tuesday, Woods backed players being paid to play in the Ryder Cup.

However, the 48-year-old was adamant the money should go to charity.

“The Ryder Cup itself makes so much money, why can’t we allocate it to various charities?” Woods said.

“And what’s wrong with each player, 12 players getting a million dollars and the ability to divvy out to amazing charities that they’re involved in that they can help out?

“It’s their hometowns, where they’re from, all the different junior golf associations or endeavors that the members are involved in.

“It’s never really been about getting paid, it’s how can we allocate funds to help our sport or help things that we believe in back home, because it’s so hard to get onto that team, there’s only 12 guys.”

• Patrick Reed slams potential Ryder Cup payments

• Sergio Garcia to make DP World Tour return before LIV season

Woods also said similar discussions were held ahead of the 1999 Ryder Cup, when players wanted to donate more to charity.

And, according to Bradley, that hasn’t changed. He agreed with Woods and swept aside talks of US players calling for payments.

“What Tiger said was 100 percent correct,” he added. “I don’t think the charity dollars have changed from ’99. It’s been the same number.

“But it’s the PGA of America’s decision. I have to wait and see what they want to do. I don’t have the power to change any of that.

“What I can say is that not a single player has asked for this, has come to me with this. No player was part of this. Zero percent.”

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.