The countdown to the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black is on, with players already starting their qualification bids for a coveted spot in the teams – but should they be paid to compete?
At present, Team USA representatives received $200,000 to distribute to charities, but aren’t directly paid a fee to represent their country.
It’s a similar situation for Team Europe, where it’s reported that instead of monetary rewards they receive a unique gift. The European captain in 2018, Thomas Bjørn, gave each member of his successful Ryder Cup team a personalised Rolex watch.
You’d think that paying players to essentially do their jobs would make logical sense, especially considering they are the best in the business and their presence is generating huge streams of revenue for a variety of third-parties through the event, but in this instance I am inclined to disagree…
Should Ryder Cup Players Be Paid To Compete?
A place in a Ryder Cup team is a reward for hard-work and consistently strong performances, but it’s also a chance to contribute to the competition’s legacy and secure your place in history. In my opinion, being included in an event of this stature should be seen as an honour and a privilege, but clearly this is not a sentiment shared by all.
I’m certain that most golf fans would agree that the Ryder Cup is about more than money, and I believe that if we start offering payment to players we risk losing the event to greed and narcissism, when in fact it’s bigger than any one player, team or edition of the tournament.
Without knowing the motivations of each individual to have represented Europe or USA in the Ryder Cup in the past, I feel secure in my position that not all participants are motivated by financial gain.
Playing in an event like this will be a dream come true, and the pinnacle of many golfer’s careers. I personally would rather watch 24 players who wanted to be there because it truly matters to the fans and the wider golfing community, rather than a handful of elite talents who would be happy to play if it meant they could pick up a pay cheque.
Team Europe won the last Ryder Cup (2023), in Rome, and bid to defend the trophy at Bethpage Black under captain Luke Donald…
(Image credit: Getty Images)
That opinion seems far more agreeable when you consider the…
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