Morikawa reframes Ryder Cup money debate as emotion fuels Team USA at Bethpage

COLLIN MORIKAWA dismissed the notion that Team USA needs a paycheck to compete at the Ryder Cup this week, saying there is no right or wrong amount and that the drive to win comes from representing country and teammates. The 45th Ryder Cup is set to unfold at Bethpage Black in Bethpage, New York, where Keegan Bradley’s squad aims to reclaim home-field advantage against a European side led by captain Luke Donald.

Discussions over the $200,000 portion of each player's $500,000 stipend have dominated headlines. The breakdown, disclosed by the PGA of America, shows $300,000 going to a charity chosen by the player, with the remaining $200,000 available as a paycheck if the player elects to take it. Morikawa, speaking ahead of Friday's start, said, "There's no number. It could be zero. It could be one dollar. There isn't a right or a wrong amount." He added that the focus remains on winning for country and for their own teams and communities.

Early Monday morning, US Captain Keegan Bradley, his 12 players and their caddies stood on the first tee for the first official practice rounds. Before they could begin, Bradley invited a New York firefighter, Chris Mascali, whose father Joe Mascali lost his life while battling the 9/11 fires, to address the team. Mascali spoke alongside his son Joey in a briefing that left many players visibly moved. Team USA is housing Joe Mascali’s helmet in their team room at Bethpage Black, about 30 miles outside Manhattan.

Morikawa stressed that the stipend’s purpose extends beyond personal gain. He explained that while players are permitted to accept the $200,000, the sum is not the sole focus and that each participant will allocate the majority of their earnings to charity. "We’re not just playing for ourselves; we’re playing for communities back home that don’t always get the recognition we receive week to week," Morikawa said. He added that the intent is to use the opportunity to support causes they care about, with some players directing portions of their earnings to charitable efforts.

The moment also offered a strong emotional undercurrent. Morikawa recalled the weight of the speeches from the Nassau Players Club and the firefighter, noting that the impact hit hard even for someone who typically keeps his emotions in check. "When you hear that type of stuff and you're able to bring out that emotion, just being able to represent a country, you want to step on that first tee and put points on the board," he said.

The debate over compensation has extended beyond Morikawa’s remarks. Cantlay, who endured European fans’ taunting in 2023 over wearing a Team USA hat amid questions about the payout, has been part of a broader conversation about the role of money in Ryder Cup competition. Cantlay has repeatedly denied claims that he or others refused to wear the gear as a protest against pay, but the episode has colored the current discussions as well. A consensus among the American players, according to several people involved in the buildup, is to donate their salaries to charity in full, underscoring a focus on philanthropy and symbolism rather than personal gain.

On the European side, Luke Donald has argued that a high-profile payday could backfire if the Americans do not deliver, noting that the New York crowd could turn on players perceived to be profiting from a marquee event. The comments have added a tense backdrop to a competition that has long pitted pride and strategy against commercial considerations. Yet the Americans have underscored a unified message: the week is about teamwork, national pride, and the opportunity to give back to communities at home.

As practice rounds begin in earnest, the players will balance the pressure of a storied rivalry with the expectations that accompany a high-stakes fundraising framework. For Morikawa and his teammates, the narrative around money may continue to swirl, but their focus remains squarely on performing on the course and channeling the inspiration they drew from the day’s earlier ceremonies into competitive fire over the coming three days.