\ufeff\u2018IT\u2019S NOT ABOUT PRIZE MONEY\u2019: CAPTAINS\u2019 WAR OF WORDS<\/p>\n
Captains Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley voiced respect but took their shots on Wednesday in Ryder Cup opening ceremony comments.<\/p>\n
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The ceremony, advanced from Thursday due to thunderstorms in the forecast on the eve of Friday\u2019s opening matches at Bethpage Black, had thousands of supporters cheering each team.<\/p>\n
Europe captain Donald took the opportunity to stress that unlike US players who are paid to play, European Ryder Cup stars play for their legacy alone.<\/p>\n
US captain Keegan Bradley, meanwhile, played up one of Europe\u2019s most bitter Ryder Cup moments as a galvanizing force for himself and the US team.<\/p>\n
Since 1999, each US Ryder Cup player had received $200,000 for charities of their choice but that was raised this year to $500,000, $300,000 for charity and $200,000 as a personal stipend to use however each liked.<\/p>\n
FARMINGDALE, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 24: Captain Luke Donald of Team Europe speaks to the crowd during the opening ceremony for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on September 24, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York. (Photo by Harry How\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
In contrast, Europe players told Donald they did not want to be paid to play in the Ryder Cup, some seeing that as Europe players loving the Cup more than their American counterparts.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Ryder Cup means so much to each and every one of us. It\u2019s unlike anything else in our sport,\u201d Donald said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not about prize money or world ranking points. It\u2019s about pride. It\u2019s about representing your flag, your shirts, and the legacy you leave behind.<\/p>\n
\u201cTime and again, we\u2019ve shown that when we come together as one with a shared purpose, we can achieve remarkable things.\u201d Europe captured the Cup in Rome in 2023 and hope to win this week for only the fifth time on US soil.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo years ago, we wrote a chapter in Rome. This week in New York, we aim to write history. We didn\u2019t come here just to be a part of the show. We came here to earn our place in Ryder Cup folklore,\u201d Donald said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe toughest roads lead to the greatest rewards. We are fueled by something money cannot buy: Purpose, brotherhood, and a responsibility to honor those who came before us, while inspiring those whose time is yet to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
Keegan defends decision on Ryder Cup pay | 02:53<\/p>\n
– \u2018Lit a fire in me\u2019 –<\/p>\n
Bradley cited US pride and legacy, saying, \u201cThe Ryder Cup doesn\u2019t just test skill. It reveals souls.\u201d Bradley thanked Europe players for \u201cpassion (that) elevates this competition\u201d and pal Donald for \u201cquiet strength and undeniable class.\u201d But he also also recalled the 1999 \u201cBattle of Brookline\u201d moment when Americans celebrated a victory by dancing on a green before Jose Maria Olazabal had a long putt to deny a US clinch.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never forgotten what it felt like to run on to that green at Brookline, watching a team come together in a way that changed my life,\u201d Bradley said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe moment lit a fire in me and this week that same Ryder Cup fire will fuel our team. It will drive us through every match, every moment and every challenge.\u201d Both captains said they were bracing for a raucous but respectful crowd. \u201cWe know the atmosphere this weekend will be electric, raucous, and yes, respectful,\u201d Bradley said. \u201cThat\u2019s part of what makes the Ryder Cup so special on both sides of the pond.\u201d <\/p>\n
FARMINGDALE, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 24: Captain Keegan Bradley of Team United States acknowledges the crowd during the opening ceremony for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on September 24, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Donald tried to make the case his side could win over some support. \u201cNew York is a place where if you show up with talent and a fighting spirit, the city will get behind you — although maybe not if you\u2019re wearing European blue this week,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know what awaits us. Bethpage isn\u2019t exactly shy. This is New York sports country, passionate, loyal, and ferociously loud, and rightly so.<\/p>\n
\u201cFans here respect effort over ego. You show up for those who grind, for those who fight, and for those who rise to the big occasions. And you make us earn every cheer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe may not be your team, but we will give you something to respect, something to admire, and maybe by the end of this week, something to cheer for.\u201d<\/p>\n
READ MORE RYDER CUP NEWS<\/p>\n
Ultimate Guide:Everything you need to know<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018We lost everything\u2019: Rookie\u2019s wild rise from broke golfer with an office job to the Ryder Cup<\/a><\/p>\n Bradley backstory: Inside US captain\u2019s wild run in with police.. and the unpacked suitcase behind Ryder Cup \u2018darkness\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n FARMINGDALE, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 24: (Top L-R) Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, Robert MacIntyre, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Justin Rose, Sepp Straka, vice captain Alex Noren, vice captain Jose Maria Olazabal, (bottom L-R) Captain Luke Donald, Ludvig Aberg, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Rasmus Hojgaard, vice captain Thomas Bjorn, vice captain Edoardo Molinari and vice captain Francesco Molinari of Team Europe take part in the opening ceremony for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on September 24, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York. (Photo by Harry How\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n \ufeff\u2018HE HAS THICK SKIN\u2019: RORY READY FOR RAUCOUS CROWDS<\/p>\n Europe\u2019s golfers are ready for world number two Rory McIlroy to become a heckling magnet for raucous United States supporters when the Ryder Cup begins on Friday at Bethpage Black.<\/p>\n McIlroy, who won the Masters in April to complete a career Grand Slam, leads holders Europe into his eighth Cup showdown, the most of any player in this week\u2019s matches.<\/p>\n The five-time major winner from Northern Ireland was greeted with a chorus of boos from spectators at the first tee on Wednesday during a practice round, responding with a wave.<\/p>\n He has aimed some choice remarks at US star Bryson DeChambeau and is known for emotional moves such as cupping his hand to his ear after sinking long putts to silence US crowds in past Cups on American soil.<\/p>\n \u201cRory is very comfortable with himself. I think he has thick skin. I think that he can handle the blowback of if he says something that he believes and it is not taken in the right way,\u201d England\u2019s Justin Rose said.<\/p>\n FARMINGDALE, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 24: Rory McIlroy of Team Europe reacts during a practice round prior to the Ryder Cup 2025 at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on September 24, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York. Andrew Redington\/Getty Images\/AFP (Photo by Andrew Redington \/ GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA \/ Getty Images via AFP)Source: AFP<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s happy to see it how he sees it and call it how he sees it. And I think he has the freedom on the golf course to just roll with that.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat he says I don\u2019t think layers into his golf game, and that\u2019s an amazing talent. He always plays incredibly freely, and I think that\u2019s probably the line where Rory can tiptoe better than most.\u201d<\/p>\n Sweden\u2019s Ludvig Aberg knows fans in New York will be doing their best to unsettle his team.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s always going to be a little bit of chirping going on,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re going to be hearing a lot of things, which is a part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n Matt Fitzpatrick and Rory McIlroy of Team Europe. Photo by Andrew Redington\/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n Being partnered with McIlroy, however, is not something European players will shy away from because of heckling, England\u2019s Tommy Fleetwood said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhoever gets to play with Rory this week, what a privilege. What an amazing thing to be able to do,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I\u2019m one of them that gets a chance to play with him, I would love that opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n Having families face such issues, however, is another matter.<\/p>\n \u201cThat energy, that passion and that home team environment is something that plays such a big part in the Ryder Cup, and you have to embrace that,\u201d Fleetwood said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve all discussed as a team who feels comfortable, how the family would feel comfortable, what they want to do. It\u2019s just do they want to be out there and support.\u201d<\/p>\n Sometimes family members avoid watching their own relatives.<\/p>\n \u201cThe families aren\u2019t just here for you. We\u2019re all part of Team Europe, and whatever that involves and whoever that involves supporting out there, that could be very different,\u201d Fleetwood said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s something we\u2019ve all discussed, and it\u2019s one of those things. It\u2019ll be very fluid throughout the week. I\u2019m sure it\u2019s all going to be great.\u201d<\/p>\n FARMINGDALE, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 24: Rory McIlroy of Team Europe acknowledges the crowd during a practice round prior to the Ryder Cup 2025 at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on September 24, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York. (Photo by Andrew Redington\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n American Justin Thomas, a two-time major winner, has said family insults is where hecklers must draw the line.<\/p>\n \u201cYou definitely hear some stuff. It\u2019s tough,\u201d Thomas said.<\/p>\n \u201cA Ryder Cup, you kind of know what you\u2019re going to get.<\/p>\n \u201c(Where) I think all the players are in the same boat is once it ever gets to a point of being a little bit more personal of families, family members.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we\u2019re not playing well and you\u2019re talking trash about us, we probably deserve it, but if you start getting into the loved ones, that\u2019s I think when everybody starts really getting a little bit chippy.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s obviously never in any sport a time to get personal or disrespectful, but at the same time it\u2019s the Ryder Cup, and it\u2019s a home game for a reason. There has been plenty of good, plenty of bad on both ends, and you hope to give them reason to cheer for the good.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE RYDER CUP NEWS<\/p>\n From Rory feuds to infamous US act: Ryder Cup\u2019s ugly history and why it could be about to explode<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018Captain\u2019s nightmare\u2019: US team rallies around Bryson<\/a><\/p>\n