U.S. Ryder Cuppers to be paid for first time. Right here’s the brand new association

After a report that American Ryder Cuppers would obtain an elevated cost for his or her providers to the Ryder Cup — and the month of angst that’s adopted — the PGA of America has lastly spoken: It’s true. 

The governing physique and partial proprietor of the Ryder Cup introduced Monday that the quantity given to every American participant (in addition to captain Keegan Bradley) will improve from its earlier degree. Whereas previously every participant receiver $200,000 to be given to charities, they’ll now stand up to $500,000 whole — $300,000 of which can go to charities. The remaining $200,000 can be a stipend every participant can do with as they please. Gamers have performed within the Cup for many years with out direct cost, however that has now modified. 

“The gamers and captains, previous and current, are answerable for the Ryder Cup changing into essentially the most particular competitors in golf and probably the most in-demand occasions on the worldwide sports activities scene,” the PGA’s assertion learn. It additionally said that no participant requested to be compensated, however reminded viewers the determine had gone unchanged because it was launched in 1999.

The previous month has seen this subject encourage excessive emotion from either side of the Ryder Cup aisle. It largely started Nov. 13, when The Telegraph reported American gamers would probably be receiving a $400,000 stipend to do with as they happy. The PGA refused to touch upon that report, however the European crew didn’t maintain again. 

Various Group Europe stalwarts — Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry — had been enjoying within the Center East on the DP World Tour when the report dropped, talking individually however equally. The message: We love the Ryder Cup a lot, we’d pay to play in it. Tiger Woods supplied a really literal response, saying, “If the Europeans wish to pay to play within the Ryder Cup, that’s their determination.” 

Woods additionally added — throughout a press convention two weeks in the past — that gamers have been angling for extra funds to be distributed to charity for years. Woods blamed the media for making it seem to be gamers had been asking to be paid themselves, finally saying he hoped the charitable presents would attain seven figures per participant. 

And whereas the charitable funds will improve by 50%, the true newsmaker is the stipend. Prior to now, many gamers have instructed that even when the funds are usually not required to go to charity, the gamers probably will donate the cash regardless. Captain Bradley confirmed to the Related Press that the whole lot of his $500,000 will go to charity.

It has made December a surprisingly attention-grabbing Ryder Cup month, whereas we’re nonetheless 9 months away from the groups being finalized for Bethpage Black. The discourse round compensation has escalated on either side of the Atlantic, on a problem that Bradley admitted he was “shocked” to see data leaking. Simply final week, Sports activities Illustrated reported {that a} dozen former American captains penned a letter to the PGA of America decrying the thought of any cash going to gamers instantly.