Breeding Greed Or Moving With The Times? Golf Monthly Staff Debate Apparent Inevitability Of Ryder Cup Pay
After a report from The Telegraph stated Team USA Ryder Cup players are set to be paid, four of the Golf Monthly team discuss the merits and pitfalls of the idea...
The argument over whether Ryder Cup players should be paid feels like it has been rumbling on for almost as long as the 97-year event itself.
Those in favor of rewarding the golfers pointing out that the sheer amount of money being generated has to be shared with the heroes of the hour and those against stating that the historic honor of representing your nation (or group of nations) should vastly outweigh one week of pay.
As it stands, neither are paid, but Team USA's dozen receives $200,000 with half going to a charity of their choice and the other 50% heading to a particular golfing initiative chosen ahead of time by the PGA of America.
On the other side of the tee box, Team Europe's men receive a unique gift each time they are called up - such as a personalized Rolex watch - in a tradition kicked off by Tony Jacklin in 1983.
Until now, the discussion over whether a direct check should find its way into the individual players' swollen bank accounts has dealt with hypotheticals and allowed anyone with even a modest interest in the sport to play over-arching commissioner for a moment.
However, a report from The Telegraph's James Corrigan has stated that Ryder Cup golfers - or at least the American ones - are set to be paid to the tune of $400,000 each whenever they pull on the Stars and Stripes moving forward.
Below, four of the Golf Monthly team share their views on Team USA reportedly getting set to earn appearance fees at the Ryder Cup.
Get the top Black Friday deals right in your inbox: Sign up now!
The hottest deals and product recommendations during deals season straight to your inbox plus all the best game-changing tips, in-depth features and the latest news and insights around the game.
I'll admit to being torn on this subject, but my initial feeling was one of disappointment. At a time when many are being turned away from the game because of the incessant and distasteful discourse around money, it's not ideal that the sport's biggest event has succumbed to such rhetoric.
The Ryder Cup is frequently touted as a tournament where players compete for the passion, rivalry and history, which all supposedly transcend remuneration. However, I do understand the arguments for the players being paid.
An awful lot of people and organisations make an awful lot of money from the Ryder Cup, so why shouldn't the main protagonists? They're the foundations upon which the event is built.
But I do hope that if players are paid, they donate their earnings to charity. I'll be surprised if this happens, though – after all, greed tends to breed more greed.
Yes, the Ryder Cup makes loads of money for the PGA of America and European Tour. Yes, the players are obviously a big reason for that. But they surely understand that both organizations need the money to help fund their companies and initiatives within the game, whether that’s funding PGA professionals and junior golf or simply keeping the premier European men’s golf circuit healthy?
On the other hand, the PGA of America handing out $5m to its players is still a very small piece of the pie - so that will be the arguments for the reported payments of $400k each.
If it keeps the best players in the match then it is ultimately a good thing for everyone involved, including the fans. Let them be paid if they so choose, move on and get on with the golf.
Honestly, when I heard the news my eyes couldn't have rolled back any further... If the report is true, I think it's appalling. To begin with, the Ryder Cup is the only event where money shouldn't be a factor and, once implemented, it will mean that some already-rich sportsmen will just become even more wealthy.
What seems to be forgotten is that fans are forced to fork out a ludicrous amount of money ($750!) just to be present at Bethpage Black to cheer on their side!
The concept of players being paid to represent their nation in the Ryder Cup is wrong, but - in this modern era where money appears to be the only motivation - it's sad but doesn't surprise me. You look back at previous Ryder Cups and it's always been the passion and drama that is the talking point, never the chat about how much $$$ the players would get.
If someone needs a cash incentive to play in the Ryder Cup then, personally, they shouldn't even be there and someone else who wants to do the best for their team, should be.
This is a really complex subject that has so many different valid and legitimate tangents. Ultimately, I think the theory of golfers simply completing for pride and their country alone is a nice idea, but I'm not really sure it's realistic anymore, unfortunately.
It feels like time has moved past the point of no return in regards to paying athletes. Look at the college NIL deals and even relating to the Olympics, all but a handful of countries pay their athletes for medalling - it's not about the pride of eternally being labelled an Olympic champion anymore.
It could be argued that capitalism is the motive which drives much of the current batch of eight billion or so, and at least some of the golfers competing in the Ryder Cup perhaps rightly believe that they are entitled to even a small drop of the nine-figure profit the PGA of America has recently made from the biennial event.
Maybe the US golfers want to be paid out of principle, which I certainly can understand, but my worry would then be that $400,000 turns into $4 million one day soon, and then it's too late to bolt the horse back inside its stable.
Then again, why should the players not receive some kind of fee from a business which is making in excess of $100 million from it? In the end, as long as money doesn't become the ultimate driving factor for players wanting to make a Ryder Cup team, I'm not sure them being paid is really that big of a deal...
Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, and Lee Westwood. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and is hoping to reach his Handicap goal of 18 at some stage. He attended both the 150th and 151st Open Championships and dreams of attending The Masters one day.
-
Cyber Monday May Be Over, But Here Are 13 Excellent Golf Deals Still Available
The final big shopping event before Christas may have been and gone, but I have noticed there are actually still several golf products with big discounts
By Sam Tremlett Published
-
Having Tested Over 50 Rangefinders, It Is These 7 Offers That Have Caught Our Eye This Cyber Monday
Golf Monthly has tested over 50 rangefinders in the past few years and, this Cyber Monday, we have spotted 7 of our favorites on offer right now!
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Patrick Reed Sets Sights On Ryder Cup Return
Patrick Reed is desperate to reprise his role as Captain America as he sets his sights on a Ryder Cup return at Bethpage Black in 2025
By Paul Higham Published
-
'So Much More Than Getting Paid' - Patrick Reed Against Ryder Cup Player Payments
Captain America himself Patrick Reed is against players being paid to play in the Ryder Cup, saying they shouldn't need money to take part in the iconic event
By Paul Higham Published
-
'It's A Bit Disgraceful'- Solheim Cup Legend Weighs In On Ryder Cup Pay Debate
Dame Laura Davies says it's "a bit disgraceful" that Ryder Cup players want paying to take part in the event
By Paul Higham Published
-
Paying Ryder Cup Players Is 'Wrong On A Lot Of Levels' - Says Former Europe Captain
Sky Sports pundit Paul McGinley says paying Ryder Cup players is 'wrong on a lot of levels' but most notably seeing money diverted away from grassroots golf
By Paul Higham Published
-
Rory McIlroy 'Would Pay For The Privilege' Of Playing In The Ryder Cup
Rory McIlroy can see the argument for players being paid to play in the Ryder Cup, but thinks it would upset the "purity" of the event for the Europeans
By Paul Higham Published
-
'No Other Motivation Was Needed' - Nick Faldo Weighs In On Ryder Cup Debate
Sir Nick Faldo says he played in the Ryder Cup for pride not payment as he gave his opinion on the latest debate on USA players being paid to take part
By Paul Higham Published
-
Ryder Cup Tickets Sold Out After 'Enormous' Global Demand
There was an outcry when the PGA of America charged $750 for Ryder Cup tickets, but after over 500,000 fans applied they've already sold out
By Paul Higham Published
-
'Better Options' Or 'A No-Brainer'? Will Sergio Garcia Be On Team Europe At The 2025 Ryder Cup?
Four of the Golf Monthly team debate whether the top Ryder Cup points scorer of all time will be a part of Luke Donald's dozen at Bethpage Black next year...
By Jonny Leighfield Published