For the first time, the American golf stars will be paid to play in the Ryder Cup. Each player, and captain Keegan Bradley, will receive $500,000 (equivalent to 4.7 million kronor), of which $300,000 (2.8 million kronor) will be donated to charity and the remaining $200,000 (1.9 million kronor) will be awarded to players and captains as scholarships.
At the same time, spectators will have to pay almost 7,000 kronor for a ticket to Bethpage Black outside New York, compared to 2,500 kronor for the corresponding admission ticket to the Ryder Cup in Italy 2023.
"Can be expensive for a family"
If things start to go badly in the prestigious competition against Europe, the American home crowd can turn against their team, believes Europe's captain Luke Donald.
There is a risk for that. We all know how high the ticket price is and it can be expensive for a family. If the American players get paid and underperform, then the New Yorkers can let them know, says Donald to a group of British golf reporters.
The European players do not want to be paid to participate. Already in connection with the previous Ryder Cup, when it started to be rumored about money, Donald brought up the issue with the players.
I talked to all twelve guys. Their voices are important. Everyone said something like "we have never considered playing for money in this competition".
Larger purpose than money
According to Europe's captain, the players unanimously stated that they had a greater purpose in playing in the competition than their own economic gain.
They meant that the money that comes in from the competition goes to the European Tour Group and the grassroots. We talk a lot about it, we are here to inspire the next generation. The money goes to something good and can hopefully help future Ryder Cup players become very good players, says Luke Donald.
This says what the Ryder Cup means to these players. These weeks with the Ryder Cup are their best weeks. We really don't need any rewards in the form of money to motivate us.
In the 2023 competition, which Europe won, American Patrick Cantlay refused to wear the team's official cap. He said it was because it didn't fit, but rumors said the reason was that he wanted to be paid to play.
Facts: Ryder Cup 2025
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+ Will be played at Bethpage Black outside New York from Friday to Sunday.
+ The game form is match play. Initially, pair play is played - four foursome matches are followed by four best ball matches on both Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, the competition ends with twelve singles matches.
+ USA's team: Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Bryson DeChambeau, JJ Spaun, Russell Henley, Harris English, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Patrick Cantlay, Sam Burns, Ben Griffin and Cameron Young.
+ Europe's team: Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Rasmus Højgaard, Tyrrell Hatton, Ludvig Åberg, Jon Rahm, Shane Lowry, Viktor Hovland, Sepp Straka and Matt Fitzpatrick.
