Here\u2019s where it starts to get tricky. Traditionally, the Ryder Cup does not offer prize money. But when you get to the big leagues, golf is a very lucrative game. Sportico<\/a> estimates that both Spain\u2019s Jon Rahm<\/a> and American Scottie Scheffler<\/a> each took home more than $100 million in combined prize winnings and endorsement earnings last year. Along with the two of them, Rory McIlroy<\/a>, Xander Schauffele<\/a>, Tyrrell Hatton, and Bryson DeChambeau<\/a> all made the top 10 of the world\u2019s top paid golfers\u2014and they\u2019re all on either Team Europe or Team U.S.A.<\/a> at the Ryder Cup this year.<\/p>\n So one might assume it would be a big deal to forego their time and money for a team trophy.<\/p>\n Rory McIlroy swings in front of fans on Long Island at the 2025 Ryder Cup. Michael Reaves\/PGA of America – Getty Images<\/p>\n But at nearly 100 years old, founded in 1927, Ryder Cup is revered in the sport on both sides of the Atlantic. McIlroy, who won the Masters<\/a> this past spring, said in 2024 that he would<\/a> \u201cpersonally would pay for the privilege to play on the Ryder Cup,\u201d putting it in the same class as the Olympics with \u201cthe purity of no money being involved.\u201d McIlroy was also responding to reports that have now come to fruition: Starting with the 2025 Ryder Cup, for the first time ever in the history of the competition, each of the 12 golfers on Team United States will now receive a total of $500,000 for competing<\/a>; $300,000 of that money will go to a charity (or charities) of the player\u2019s choosing, while the remaining $200,000 is deemed a stipend. The European players will still not be compensated, nor will they offer a charitable component.<\/p>\n The PGA of America specified that no players asked to be compensated. U.S. team captain Keegan Bradley told the AP in December he plans to donate the entire sum to charity<\/a>, as does Schauffele. \u201cI just see it as a whole lot of money going to charity and we\u2019re going to take a lot of crap,\u201d Schauffele told the AP, referring to a The Daily Telegraph<\/a> report in November that Americans would be paid $400,000 with no mention of a split between charity and a stipend. Schauffele double-downed his stance in the days ahead of the Ryder Cup, as Team Europe captain Luke Donald told Sky Sports<\/a>, \u201cThis isn\u2019t a week to get paid.\u201d<\/p>\n English golfer Tommy Fleetwood and American Xander Schauffele on day one of practice at the Ryder Cup. Carl Recine – Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cYou guys keep talking about it and trying to make it this negative thing. It’s whatever everyone views it as,\u201d Schauffele told reporters<\/a> at Bethpage Black on Long Island, New York. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of pride that comes into playing in one of these, and yes, we\u2019re happy to get paid for this, and yes, I plan on donating it. It\u2019s something that selfishly will make me feel good about what I do.\u201d<\/p>\n At the last Ryder Cup in Rome, Team U.S., specifically golfer Patrick Cantlay, was at the center of a controversy that became known as \u201cHatgate<\/a>\u201d after reports at the time suggested he played without a hat as a protest for not being paid to play in the Cup. Cantlay later denied this and said the hat provided simply didn\u2019t fit.<\/p>\n Patrick Cantlay swinging hatless at Rome\u2019s Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in 2023. Mondadori Portfolio – Getty Images<\/p>\n Cantlay, now with a hat, plays from the third tee on a practice day. Jared C. Tilton – Getty Images<\/p>\n On Tuesday, Cantlay told reporters there will be no issue this go around (he has a hat that fits<\/a>), and that he plans to donate his money to several foundations, including the First Responders Children\u2019s Foundation, the SCPGA Junior Tour, St. Jude and Folds of Honor, per Golf Digest<\/a>. \u201cThis week we’re playing for something bigger than ourselves. We\u2019re playing for our team. We\u2019re playing for our country,\u201d Cantlay told the media at Bethpage Black. \u201cThe little part I can play by putting as many points on the board as possible, that’s where 100% of my focus is.\u201d<\/p>\n Keegan Bradley runs the 18th hole with an American flag during a practice at Bethpage Black. Michael Reaves\/PGA of America – Getty Images<\/p>\n Other Americans, past and present, have said it\u2019s not about a payday so much as about having a say in where the money is going. The issue dates back to 1999 when U.S. players such as Tiger Woods and David Duval led an effort questioning how much money the PGA of America was making off the Ryder Cup, which is one of the sporting organization\u2019s most lucrative events<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Ryder](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/84318c35ee152147e1a0d1581ce16cb2.jpeg\"\/)
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