Morikawa Pushes Back on Ryder Cup Pay Debate as 9/11 Speech Inspires U.S. Team

The United States Ryder Cup team opened the week at Bethpage Black with a defiant stance on the tournament’s pay discussion, led by Collin Morikawa as he rejected the notion that financial incentives are necessary to spur victory. Morikawa, who is competing in his third Ryder Cup, dismissed the argument that the Americans require a specific paycheck to perform, noting that motivation can be drawn from personal commitment to win for the country and for teammates. The controversy over the $200,000 stipend attached to each player’s participation has provided ammunition for Europe’s side, with captain Luke Donald implying a New York crowd could sour on pros perceived as playing for money if results don’t follow. Morikawa’s remarks came as the U.S. team prepared for their opening practice rounds, with the Ryder Cup entering a moment of emotional resonance beyond the course.

In a moment that defined the emotional climate around the event, the U.S. team gathered early Monday for their first official practice rounds after a pre-round address by a New York firefighter, Chris Mascali, whose father Joe Mascali died while battling the 9/11 fires. Mascali, joined by his son Joey, spoke about honor and service to a squad that has long thrived on national pride. The players were visibly moved, and Morikawa said the experience underscored the deeper meaning of the week. The team has since placed Joe Mascali’s helmet in their Bethpage team room as a symbol of the sacrifices that inform the competition. Morikawa noted that such moments can galvanize players to compete for more than cash, a point he stressed as he discussed why the team is here.

The payout structure tied to the Ryder Cup has been a focal point of the buildup. Each U.S. player is slated to receive a total of $500,000 if they meet the terms, with $300,000 earmarked for a charity of the player’s choosing and the remaining $200,000 functioning as a potential paycheck should the player elect to accept it. The prevailing view within the American contingent has been that the salaries will be donated to charity, including Patrick Cantlay, who faced European taunting in the previous Ryder Cup for not appearing to wear a Team USA cap in protest of pay. Cantlay rejected those claims, but the group as a whole has signaled a willingness to give back to communities that may not always receive the same spotlight as the PGA Tour schedule.

The debate over compensation has loomed large in the buildup, with Donald arguing that the payment points to the broader profit-driven reality of modern golf and could influence public perception if the Americans fail to deliver. The U.S. camp, however, has emphasized that their focus remains on performance first and on using any funds to benefit charitable causes back home. Keegan Bradley, the U.S. captain, has led the charge in rallying his players to view the week as an opportunity to compete for national pride and for communities that rely on the players as role models. The 45th Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black pits Team USA against Europe in an event that combines high-stakes golf with a broader conversation about money, purpose, and philanthropy in the sport.

As play begins, the Americans will look to translate the emotional energy of the firefighter’s speech and the promise of charitable giving into on-course results. The lineup includes Morikawa and his teammates aiming to win points for themselves and their country, while also honoring those who played pivotal roles in shaping their path to this moment. With the first ties and matches set to unfold over the next three days, the Tomson-era competition will test not only skill and strategy but also the deeper commitments that underpin the Ryder Cup in the current era.