If you have not yet heard, the huge news in the golf world is that the USA Team may get paid for their participation at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage. The 12 golfers’ roster will get an equal amount of $400,000 each. It seems that the alleged request from Patrick Cantlay in 2023 finally got answered. But not everyone is in favor of such a prize purse offering at a patriotic event.

At least not the LPGA Tour’s legendary golfer, Dame Laura Davies. The English pro has been part of many Solheim Cups and knows all about these kinds of events and what they mean for the players and the fans. So, when Davies was asked about her thoughts on such a proposal for the American Team, she was unapologetically against it. She dejectedly said, “It’s a bit disgraceful.” The 20-time LPGA Tour winner further explained that the Ryder Cup golfers have already earned money before reaching that stage, so if they are asking for more and donate it to a foundation that would be the best.

However, if they just want money, Davies just couldn’t understand their rationale behind it. She added that maybe the entire team doesn’t want the money and only a few people do. Whatever the reason might be, it is not the first time that the 45-time LET winner has opined about the Ryder Cup. Two months ago, Davies talked about Keegan Bradley wanting to be a playing captain at the 2025 Ryder Cup and said, “I know Keegan Bradley wants to have a go with the Ryder Cup but that would be a tough task.”

Whether it is about the American team getting a prize purse at the Ryder Cup or their captain wishing to be a player too, Davies seems against both ideas. And she might not be alone. Team European’s best golfer, Rory McIlroy has some opinions on the money matter as well.

What does McIlroy think about Keegan Bradley & Co. getting paid?

The Northern Irishman is currently playing at the DP World Tour’s season finale in Dubai. Taking the lead after the opening round, Rory McIlroy was asked about his opinion on the matter, and the 35-year-old noted that it would change the dynamics and the “purity” of the patriotic tournaments. McIlroy revealed having a conversation with European captain, Luke Donald and the rest of the team where they were all concise that the money should rather be spent on the DP World Tour or the Challenge Tour.

Surprisingly, McIlroy was ready to pay more for the Ryder Cup as he said, “I personally would pay for the privilege to play in the Ryder Cup.” Furthermore, the 26-time PGA Tour winner also conveyed what Laura Davies said about the money aspect. He expressed that no golfer on either side needed the money as every two years they can afford to play one week without a prize purse.

Even Shane Lowry backed McIlroy’s stance and said, “The Ryder Cup is a privilege, and it’s what I work for… I love the tournament, and I just want to be involved. I don’t care whether I get paid or not.” It is clear that the European side doesn’t want to involve money in the Ryder Cup. But there have not been any comments from the American side, so who knows what they want.