The dispute between the two leagues, LIV Golf and PGA Tour, has been there for a long time, but now something new has happened. An internal conflict started when the PGA planned to pay more to the players. However, this isn’t the first time this has happened, as a similar thing happened earlier. The data shared by Sports Illustrated shows that the 1999 Ryder Cup was the first time the pay issue came about. With the resolution to the pay issue, a charitable aspect was introduced that players still follow.

Currently, the PGA of America pays the players $200,000. However, for competing in the Ryder Cup 2025, the PGA of America is planning to pay each player $400,000, which is double the current amount. In the wake of the new plan, former players were seen against it, while sharing what they wish to be changed.

As per Sports Illustrated, 12 former captains of the U.S. team have signed and sent a letter protesting the pay increase. One of the former captains, without revealing his identity, shared with SI, “This was never intended to get out.” He even shared briefly about the plan by stating, “This was done with the idea that you should play for your country and not reap financial benefit.”

While every former captain is with the decision to increase the pay, however, they want it to be for charity not for personal benefits. Stating about this, one of the former captains said, “If this $400,000 went to charity, that’s something else.” Nevertheless, this doesn’t end here, as apart from the former captains, fans have also taken sides and filled the comment section, sharing their views on this new plan of the PGA.

Fans reaction to PGA’s new pay plan for Ryder Cup players

This recent plan was shared by NUCLR Golf on X, where fans chose to take the side of the players and commented with their thoughts. However, the majority agreed with the new pay scheme but had some concerns relating to it which they have commented on.

One user, while praising the Ryder Cup and sharing about the players representing the country, commented, “I love the Ryder Cup but it’s not like these players are serving their country. Let’s pay’em and make it PGA vs LIV.” Another user, while supporting shares, if the player can’t receive the money, then the PGA Tour should also donate their profit. He stated, “If the players can’t receive money then the @PGATOUR should donate 100% of the profits to Charity!!”

However, other users were seen to disagree with the pay increase plan as they were sharing why it should be done and how the game would be affected by it. Following that, a user shared while bringing in the history and values that have been set by the PGA Tour and why it is now being changed. Following on, he commented, “What happened to the PGAT being about history and legacy and not about money? Yes, I do understand the RC is a PGA thing not a PGAT thing, but the players are PGAT. PGAT players are clearly all about the money.”

However, the majority of comments were in favor of the new pay plan and commented in support of it. One user commented, “So the old men should make money off the rider cup but not the players. So dumb.” Even others joined in to support the user by commenting, “Ok, but the PGA of America and a lot of execs within it get paid, so why shouldn’t the players? It isn’t 1955 any more and this is a billion-dollar business.”

Even one of the users commented asking about the details of the plan. He shared, “Are all profits, not revenue, profits from the Ryder Cup being donated by @PGA to charity? If so then great don’t play players and use the profits to help education, or grow the game, etc. if profits are not given away then pay the players since they are the revenue generators. This isn’t that hard.”

Now that the new plan has seen a mix of disagreement and support from the fans before being finalized, what would be the next step for the PGA of America? It would be interesting to see who will be prioritized and on what terms, as former captains opposing, while the current players avoiding to share anything on it. What do you think should be the next step? Will the pay increase result in increased charity? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.