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The 2025 Ryder Cup is just around the corner and there are set to be big changes for the latest edition when it comes to prize money.
The Ryder Cup is the pinnacle of team golf in the men’s game, with the inaugural edition held back in 1927 when the United States beat Great Britain 9.5-2.5 at Worcester Country Club, Massachusetts.
Several changes have been made over the years, ranging from size of the teams to the different game formats, but the most notable one came in 1979 when continental European players were allowed to take part.
The grandeur of the Ryder Cup continues to grow and the fierce rivalry between the USA and Europe has produced some of the most memorable moments in golf.
In what is one of the biggest sporting spectacles in the world, history will be made in the 2025 edition at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York, and it is all to do with money.
Is there prize money for the Ryder Cup?
In the 44 Ryder Cups to have been held, there has been no prize money on offer.
Certain captains have offered gifts as incentives if his side wins the event, with Europe’s 2018 winning captain Thomas Bjorn buying a personalized Rolex watch for all 12 team members.
The PGA of America has given each player $200,000 to donate to a charity or charities of their choice, with more than $28.6million distributed to more than 200 charitable organisations since 1999.
What is changing ahead of the 2025 Ryder Cup?
For the first time ever in Ryder Cup history, the United States team will be paid to compete in the 2025 event.
Each of the 12 players, along with captain Keegan Bradley, will receive $500,000, with $300,000 being donated to a charity or charities chosen by each member of the team and the remainder kept for themselves.
Why is prize money being awarded?
The 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club in Italy is where the talk about prize money stemmed from for the US team, with Patrick Cantlay at the centre of it all.
Cantlay decided not to wear the American team cap during the event in what was reported to be a protest at the fact the players were not paid for taking part.
This stance was believed to have created a divide in the team, with some players backing Cantlay’s thoughts and others against the idea of being paid to compete.
Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy was firmly in the no category when asked about being remunerated for playing in the Ryder Cup, telling BBC Sport: “I personally would pay for the privilege to play in the Ryder Cup.
“The two purest forms of competition in our game right now are the Ryder Cup and the Olympics, and it’s partly because of that, the purity of no money being involved.”
Tempers did flare in 2023 between McIlroy and Cantlay’s caddie Joe LaCava, who waved his cap close to the Masters champion as he lined up a putt.
The episode spilled over into the car park after the match, with words being exchanged between McIlroy, LaCava and Shane Lowry.
Europe had the last laugh in the end, as they defeated the US 16.5-11.5.
McIlroy doubled down on his thoughts on Ryder Cup pay, adding: “I don’t think any of the 24 players on either team needs 400 grand.
“Every two years, there are 104 weeks and 103 weeks you can play golf and get paid.”
Will any players keep the prize money?
Although some of the money being given to the US players and captain doesn’t have to be donated to charity, Xander Schauffele has said each member of the side won’t be keeping any for themselves.
He said: “Learning from the PGA Tour, we’re going to give back to the community however we can help, whether it’s the Fire Department or NYPD or you name it.”
Schauffele also feels the pay debate will add more spice to this year’s Ryder Cup, adding: “Whenever there’s a feud, what happens? It juices everything up around it. The Ryder Cup is going to do better because of this thing.”
Are there plans for the European team to receive prize money?
As things stand, there are no changes expected for team Europe when it comes to being financially compensated for playing in the Ryder Cup.
Tommy Fleetwood, who broke his PGA Tour duck at the Tour Championship on Sunday, was asked about the situation back in January and he insists pay has never come up.
“Since the start of my Ryder Cup journey, which would have been 2018, it’s never been a conversation for us from a European perspective,” he told The Sports Agents.
‘I’ve actually never even had a conversation about money or getting paid, and I still haven’t had one on our European side.”
When is the 2025 Ryder Cup?
This year’s edition takes place from September 26th-28th. The six automatic qualifiers for the US and Europe have been confirmed, with the captain’s picks to come.
Bradley will reveal his six selections on Wednesday, while Luke Donald’s six picks will be known on Monday, September 1st.
