New program means U.S. golfers will now be paid to play in Ryder Cup

The PGA of America has announced a groundbreaking program that will see American players being paid to participate in the prestigious Ryder Cup for the first time ever. Each player selected for the team will receive a $200,000 stipend, along with an additional $300,000 to donate to a charity of their choice.

This new payment scheme represents a significant increase from previous years, where players were only allocated $200,000 to donate to charity. The decision to compensate players for their participation in the Ryder Cup dates back to 1999 when the issue of pay-for-play first emerged.

The PGA of America board recently met in person to approve this innovative program, which was officially announced on their social media channels. U.S. team captain Keegan Bradley has already declared his intention to donate his entire $500,000 allocation to charity, showcasing the generous spirit of the players involved.

It is important to note that none of the players requested to be compensated for their participation in the Ryder Cup. The PGA of America emphasizes that the players and captain play a pivotal role in making the Ryder Cup one of the premier sporting events globally.

The announcement of this new payment program has garnered attention from the golfing community and beyond. In response to reports of American players receiving $400,000 each for the Ryder Cup, top golfer Rory McIlroy expressed his thoughts on social media.

Overall, this initiative by the PGA of America represents a significant step forward in recognizing the contributions of players to the Ryder Cup and supporting charitable causes. It will be interesting to see how this program impacts the dynamics of future Ryder Cup competitions and the philanthropic efforts of the participating players.