First Ryder Cup payout sparks debate as US faces pay-to-play reality

For the first time in Ryder Cup history, United States players will be paid to compete in the biennial matches, with each American participant set to receive $500,000 this week at Bethpage Black in New York. Of that total, $300,000 will go to a charity chosen by the player, and $200,000 will act as a paycheck should they accept the offer. The decision has intensified a long-running debate inside the U.S. team about whether top golfers should be compensated for representing their country in one of golf's most prestigious events.

Reaction to the move has been mixed. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler has said he plans to donate all of his $500,000 to charity, framing his decision as a personal choice rather than a broader mandate. The issue has flared in the past, including reports from Rome in 2023 that Patrick Cantlay refused to wear a Team USA hat in protest over payments; Cantlay later denied those claims. The contrast with Europe is stark: while American players face a new financial incentive, European participants have historically not received paychecks for Ryder Cup duty. Rory McIlroy has publicly said he would be willing to pay to play the Ryder Cup, underscoring the gulf in attitudes between the two sides.

Bethpage Black, a municipal course in New York that bills itself as 'The People’s Country Club,' will host the event this year. Ticket pricing underscores the commercial pull: three days of competition on Friday through Sunday are listed at $750, roughly £554, well above prices for the Rome edition two years ago, when main-event tickets hovered around £200. Practice-day tickets run about $255 (around £188). A can of beer is listed at about $15. Spectators will also receive free food and soft drinks with admission, a detail that highlights both the scale of the event and the costs fans face to attend.

While the money now on the table for U.S. players has sparked debate, the Ryder Cup remains defined as much by its tradition as by its trophy. The event has long been framed as a test of teamwork and national pride rather than a prize-money showcase. Europeans have argued that the format thrives on the drama and atmosphere more than the purse, and the shift in the U.S. approach could influence perceptions around the globe as future editions are staged.

Looking ahead, the pay plan will be tested by players' decisions on accepting the money and by the reaction of fans and sponsors. For now, the European team will continue without separate compensation for Ryder Cup participation, leaving the 2025 edition at Bethpage to reflect a sport at the crossroads of tradition and monetization.