Ryder Cup Stars Donate $6.5M Amid Payment Backlash
The 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black sparks debate as U.S. players, led by Scottie Scheffler, pledge to donate their $500,000 Ryder Cup money—potentially $6.5 million—to charity. This counters backlash against the PGA’s new payment policy, emphasizing team spirit and philanthropy over personal gain.
Transforming Controversy into Good
Scheffler, world No. 1, will donate his $500,000 to Dallas community programs, he told BBC Sport on September 23, 2025. “We like to give quietly,” he said. Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele followed, supporting youth and local causes. Captain Keegan Bradley, also donating, justified the PGA’s modernization: “Charity dollars hadn’t risen since 1999. This brings the Ryder Cup into 2025.”
Backlash from Golf Legends
The PGA’s $500,000 per player, with $300,000 for charity, drew ire. Tom Watson told Golf Channel: “They should play for country, not money.” Europe’s unpaid players, including Rory McIlroy, agree. Luke Donald warned of fan backlash if the U.S. falters, noting high $750 ticket prices could fuel New York crowd jeers.
Transatlantic Divide and Past Tensions
Europe’s unpaid squad, as Donald shared, sees the Ryder Cup as an honor, not a paycheck. The payment debate, sparked by Tiger Woods in 1999, led to a $200,000 charity fund, now increased. Bradley dismissed 2023 tensions, like Cantlay’s hat protest, as overblown: “It was just a sizing issue.”
Impact Beyond the Fairways
The U.S. team’s donations could boost education and junior golf if all 12 players and Bradley participate. This shifts the narrative from controversy to selflessness, enhancing the Ryder Cup’s legacy.
