US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley has defended the decision to pay team members for the first time.
In December last year, it was confirmed that a financial package of $500,000 will be handed to all 12 members of the team, with Bradley also receiving the sum.
Each player had previously been awarded $200,000 to donate to a charity of their choice, but that will increase to $300,000 from the Bethpage Black match.
More controversially, each player will also earn a $200,000 stipend, breaking with a tradition that has been in existence since the first match in 1927.
The issue of payments has been in the public domain since 1999, when then-captain Ben Crenshaw helped to avoid a possible player boycott by introducing the charitable aspect.
The subject reared its head again in 2023, when it was reported that Patrick Cantlay refused to wear a hat in protest at not being paid, a claim he later dismissed as “complete lies” and “totally unfounded.”
Patrick Cantlay didn’t wear a hat at the 2023 match, reportedly in protest at the lack of pay, although he later dismissed the suggestion
(Image credit: Getty Images)
With the PGA of America having approved payments for the first time, starting at the Bethpage Black match, Bradley addressed the move at a press conference held alongside counterpart Luke Donald on Monday, where he confirmed his payment would go to charity, including the stipend.
He said: “Well, the PGA of America came to me, they wanted to bring the Ryder Cup into the present day. The charity dollars hadn’t changed since 1999 and they asked me to sort of shepherd their way into making it into 2025.
“I think for everyone it’s a personal decision. A lot of guys aren’t comfortable sharing what they’re going to do with their money, but we’re going to donate.”
Following the decision, two-time Ryder Cup winner David Howell was among those suggesting the Europeans, who are not paid at the Ryder Cup, could use it as a motivational tool, saying the message would be “hammered home” by Donald, but Bradley is unfazed by what the opposition thinks.
“Well, I’m not concerned about what Europe does or what they think. I’m concerned about what my team is doing,” he insisted.
Bradley also said the decision mimics aspects of the Presidents Cup, where players…
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