U.S. Ryder Cup Players to Donate Stipends Amid Pay-for-Play Debate

At the Ryder Cup event held at Bethpage Black, several members of the U.S. golf team addressed the recent controversy surrounding player compensation. For the first time, each American player will receive a $200,000 stipend in addition to the $300,000 allocated for charity, marking a significant increase from the previous $200,000 charity-only amount in place since 1999.

This new financial arrangement by the PGA of America has sparked some backlash, particularly because European team members are neither receiving monetary rewards nor seeking them. However, U.S. players have emphasized that they intend to donate all stipend earnings to charitable causes.

Scottie Scheffler shared his commitment to philanthropy, stating, "I’ve never been one to announce what we do. I don’t like to give charitable dollars for some kind of recognition. We have something planned for the money that we’ll be receiving. I think it’s a really cool thing that the PGA of America has empowered us to do." Scheffler also expressed a strong connection to his hometown of Dallas and the charities he supports there.

Similarly, world number four Xander Schauffele highlighted the pride he feels representing the United States and the positive impact the stipend can have. "You guys keep talking about it and trying to make it this negative thing. It’s whatever everyone views it as," Schauffele told reporters. "I don’t think I’d be sitting up on this stage if I didn’t have a positive attitude, and I try to look at this in the most positive of lights possible: An opportunity to do some good, which isn’t always the case."

The topic resurfaced following reports from the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, where Patrick Cantlay’s refusal to wear a Team USA hat was interpreted by some as a protest against compensation issues. Cantlay clarified that the hat did not fit properly and confirmed he will donate any funds earned this week to his chosen charity. "One of the great things about these team events for me is there’s always such a big charitable component to it, and so I’m going to donate the money to my charity," he said.

U.S. Captain Keegan Bradley defended the decision to pay players, asserting that the move modernizes the competition. He also plans to contribute his stipend to charity. "This change brings the Ryder Cup into today’s age," Bradley remarked.

The stance of the U.S. team underscores their desire to use the new financial provisions to support causes important to them, rejecting notions that compensation conflicts with the spirit of the event.