Big money is on the line in the world of golf, and we’re not just talking about tournament prizes. A recent announcement from the PGA of America has revealed a hefty payout for U.S. Ryder Cup players. So, here’s the deal, each player on the U.S. team will receive a whopping $500,000 payment for their participation in the event. But here’s the best part, $300,000 of that will go directly to a charity of their choice, while the remaining $200,000 will be a stipend for the players themselves.

The $500,000 directed to each of the 12 players and the captain is an increase from the $200,000, strictly for charity, that began when the pay-for-play issue first arose in 1999 before the tournament at Brookline. But a stipend to the players for appearing in the tournament is offered for the first time since the tournament started in 1927.

It was first reported by The Telegraph a few weeks back that the PGA of America was working on a plan to pay each U.S. golfer a large sum of money to play in the Ryder Cup – golf’s biggest showcase – a measure that would come into effect for the Bethpage Black edition in 2025. The compensation around participating in the Ryder Cup has long been discussed by players.

Earlier this month, US legend Tiger Woods said it was a conversation players were having back in 1999. Woods said instead of direct payment players wanted that more should be directed towards charities. “The Ryder Cup itself makes so much money – why can’t we allocate it to various charities? And what’s wrong with each player, 12 players getting a million dollars and the ability to divvy out to amazing charities that they’re involved in that they can help out? It’s their hometowns, where they’re from, all the different junior golf associations or endeavors that the members are involved in,” Woods had said.

“It’s never really been about getting paid, it’s how can we allocate funds to help our sport or help things that we believe in back home because it’s so hard to get onto that team, there’s only 12 guys. What’s wrong with being able to allocate more funds?” he had further added.

Interestingly, in the last edition of the biennial tournament, in Rome last year, Patrick Cantlay did not wear a cap and it was speculated that it was in protest to not receiving payment for playing in the event. He has always denied this, but the fact is that the debate came back to the fore, with more intensity in recent weeks. So, did all these resulted in the measure? Here is what PGA of America said.

“The players and captains, past and present, are responsible for the Ryder Cup becoming the most special competition in golf and one of the most in-demand events on the international sports scene. While no players asked to be compensated, the PGA of America Board of Directors has voted to increase the allocation to the members of the US Ryder Cup team from $200,000 to be directed to charities – a figure unchanged since 1999 – to $500,000, with $300,000 of that to be directed to the charity or charities of the players’ choice. The balance is a stipend,” PGA of America told in a statement.

“We added the $200,000 stipend out of respect for the players … so the players could have a say in where the money goes. It’s recognition for all the players have done for the Ryder Cup over the years,” Don Rea, the PGA of America president, said in a letter to past Ryder Cup captains, noting the stipend would be separate from players’ expenses. The PGA of America board met last week and approved the payment scheme. The US captain, Keegan Bradley, says he will give his entire allocation to charity.

“We’ve had so many meetings for a long time and it hasn’t gone up since 1999. We’re talking 25 years that it’s been at $200,000,” Rea told the Associated Press, adding that $500,000 “seemed like the right place to land.” He added: “Everyone is appreciative of what the players are doing for the Ryder Cup.” But does paying the players take the prestige away from the Ryder Cup?

Interestingly, Rory McIlroy had said last month, “I personally would pay for the privilege to play on 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 … the purity of no money being involved.” Now with the introduction of the stipend, some fans also seem displeased.

Why are fans hating the Ryder Cup to pay for the players?

Many fans have taken to social media to express their outrage, arguing that the honor of representing one’s country should be rewarded enough.  “What a bloody joke,” one fan wrote while the other said, “The sport is broken.”  “Obviously they don’t love their country like they claim they do?”

Notably, McIlroy had pointed out last month, “I don’t think any of the 24 players on either team needs the $400,000. Every two years we play there’s 104 weeks and for 103 you can play golf and can get paid so that’s reasonable enough,” while also adding “Going back to the purity aspect it [the payment to the players] would make the competition seem a little less pure.”

Along similar lines, one fan wrote, “This guts the event of its meaning and mythology”, referring to the damage this would do to the nearly 100-year history of the Ryder Cup this new development will end.

It seems that for some, patriotism and pride aren’t for sale – not even for $500,000. And let’s not forget the PGA’s questionable pricing strategy, like they charged $15 for beers at the PGA Championship. With the PGA raking in massive profits and relying on volunteers to run the show, it’s hard not to wonder if their priorities are a bit off.

The controversy surrounding the 2025 Ryder Cup has taken a double-edged turn, with fans expressing outrage over both the hefty ticket prices and the substantial payouts to U.S. players. As one fan succinctly put it, “Maybe they can subsidize the ticket prices?”, while the other said, “Wonder why tickets at $175+.”

On one hand, ticket prices starting at $750 per person, plus additional fees, have left many fans wondering if the event has become inaccessible to the average enthusiast, with some jokingly asking if they’ll have to take out a second mortgage to attend. But what are your thoughts on the matter? Let us know in the comment section below!