Americans will be paid to play in the Ryder Cup for the first time under a PGA of America program that gives each player $200,000 and $300,000 to distribute to charities.
The $500,000 target for each of the 12 players and the captain is up from $200,000 — according to the charity — that began when the pay-to-play scandal began in 1999 before the Brookline games.
The PGA of America board met in person last week and approved the payment plan, announcing it on social media Monday morning.
“We’ve added $200,000 out of respect for the players … so the players have a say in where the money goes,” PGA of America president Don Rea said in a letter to Ryder Cup captains, noting the grant will be. different from what the players get for the cost. “It’s a tribute to all the players who have played for the Ryder Cup over the years.”
American captain Keegan Bradley has said he will donate his full share to charity. $500,000 — 40% of which is unconditional on your destination — is roughly equivalent to a 10th place finish in the PGA Championship.
The PGA of America said no players have requested compensation. It said the players and captains are responsible for the Ryder Cup being one of the best sports in the world.
“We’ve had a lot of meetings for a long time and it hasn’t gone up since 1999. We’re talking about 25 years to be at $200,000,” Rea said in a phone interview, adding that $500,000 “seems about right. a place to sleep.”
“Everyone appreciates what the players do in the Ryder Cup.”
The original deal in 1999 was $200,000 per player, half of which went to the college golf program and the other half to the player’s choice. At the 2023 Rome Games, all $200,000 will go to any charity or foundation chosen by the players.
Rea noted in his letter to the Ryder Cup captains that it is similar to what the PGA Tour is doing to the Presidents Cup.
“Players and captains, past and present, are responsible for making the Ryder Cup the premier tournament in golf and the most in-demand event in international sports,” the PGA said.
“… Golf is a long-established vehicle and it’s exciting to think about the impact that members of the 2025 US Ryder Cup team will bring to worthy causes and communities across the country, including the many programs that support the growth of the game.”
The latest topic of pay-to-play has become a hot topic for next September’s games at Bethpage Black, providing a snack for the European team that has won the cup 10 of the last 14 times, including 2023 in Marco Simone.
“I personally would pay for the right to play in the Ryder Cup,” said Rory McIlroy in an interview with BBC Sport last month. “The two purest forms of competition in our sport right now are the Ryder Cup and the Olympics, and that’s partly because …
There are differences in Ryder Cup finances depending on where it is held. The European Tour has a stake in the Ryder Cup Europe, and the tour would struggle to survive without the benefit of the Games if they were played in Europe.
The PGA of America runs the event in America. It pays 20% of broadcast revenue to the PGA Tour — effectively serving as a disbursement fee for using tour players — and that money goes into the tour’s general operating budget.
Kerry Haigh, chief tournament officer and interim CEO of the PGA of America, painted a picture of the changing landscape of the sport.
“It’s been 25 years and now is the time,” Haigh said. “There were discussions at that time. We are very grateful for what every player and captain has done, and all the money that has been given to charities. Now is the time, that’s why our board has made a decision to give more money to charities as well. as a stipend.”
He said the assistant captains will also receive a smaller package than the 12 players and captain.
Tiger Woods said two weeks ago in the Bahamas the topic was similar to 1999, when he said the players wanted to say more about how the money was spent but it was revealed that they wanted to be paid to play.
“The Ryder Cup itself makes a lot of money,” Woods said. “Why can’t we allocate it to different charities? And what’s wrong with each player, 12 players getting a million dollars and the ability to split the amazing charities they’re involved with that they can help?”
Source link
