Report: US Ryder Cup players set to be paid for 2025 match

In an unprecedented and highly controversial move, American players look set to be paid for competing at next year’s Ryder Cup.

The Telegraph’s James Corrigan has reported that the PGA of America plans to divide almost £4million between the 12 Team USA members next season (£315,000 each). It would mean players are remunerated for competing for the first time in the showdown’s 97-year history.

US players do already receive $200,000 to donate to a charity of their choice – but this figure would be paid directly into their bank accounts. Whether the money goes to good causes or not would ultimately be up to them.

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The Telegraph’s report states that the proposal has not yet be ratified at board level and could be rubber stamped after the governing body announces a new chief executive.

This development comes just 10 months out from the highly-anticipated showdown against Europe at Bethpage.

And it will provide yet another subplot to a box-office duel on Long Island, especially given that there is no indication that European players will be paid for their services.

Last year at Marco Simone, Patrick Cantlay was at the centre of the storm in Rome after he was accused of not wearing a Team USA cap in the protest over not earning a penny for his part in the contest.

Cantlay, who played a prominent role for Zach Johnson’s losing side, strongly denied the reports that he was actually staging a protest.

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Afterwards, Xander Schauffele’s father Stefan told the Times that players should “have a share in the profits” of the match, that serves as a huge cash cow for the PGA of America.

Intriguingly at this year’s Presidents Cup, all 24 players earned a “stipend” of $250,000, rather than a proportion of funds allocated to charity.

First reported by Golfweek, golfers in the match between the US and the International Team do not have to disclose where they direct the funds, which is a departure from previous years.

That competition, however, is governed by the PGA Tour, while the PGA of America takes control of the Ryder Cup.

The PGA of America has declined our request to comment on this story.