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Tommy Fleetwood has insisted that European players have never entertained discussions to be paid to play in the Ryder Cup.

The Englishman, a three-time star of the biennial clash, was speaking on The Sports Agents podcast when he squashed talk of the controversial plans.

The PGA of America confirmed the move in December that will see the 12 US players leave Bethpage Black with an extra $500,000.

“Since the start of my Ryder Cup journey, if you like, which would have been 2018, it’s never been a conversation for us, that’s for sure, from a European perspective,” Fleetwood said.

“I’ve actually never even had a conversation about money or getting paid, and I still haven’t had one on our European side.”

“It’s just not something that’s been discussed. So yeah, that’s not going to change this year, I’m pretty sure.”

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The payments are a first in the almost 100-year history of the Ryder Cup, although the concept has surfaced in the past.

Mark O’Meara, a two-time major champion, pushed for players to be paid in the contest ahead of the 1999 match and it has grown in popularity ever since.

But Fleetwood is adamant that even beyond the 2025 Ryder Cup, Team Europe will not try to gain financial compensation.

“Well, I’m not in charge, but no,” he said. “From what I know and the experiences I’ve had and the conversations I’ve had, it’s not something that we have thought about or put into any kind of context.”

There is some good coming of the payments, though, according to the 34-year-old.

While the US players are set to receive half a million dollars, they will pay $300,000 of that to a charity of their choice.

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“Regardless of what the situation is or what people think, from the American side, a certain amount of money going to charity is only a good thing,” Fleetwood said, “no matter how that is seen.

“And so, I think that’s a positive on that side.”

Aside from the row, Fleetwood is as determined as ever to compete in the Ryder Cup and play under captain Luke Donald again.

“It’s a humongous goal to make it on the team in September, playing in New York and having a New York crowd,” he said.

“There’s no doubt about it, it’s probably going to be, you know, like nothing that that most of us have ever experienced before.”

You can listen to the full podcast with Fleetwood on the Global Player.


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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.

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