PGA of America Boosts Ryder Cup Player Stipends and Charitable Giving

U.S. Ryder Cup players are about to get a bigger payday for charity – and for themselves.

The PGA of America just approved a major boost in player payments, jumping the charitable contribution from $200,000 to $300,000 per player. But there’s more: they’re adding another $200,000 that players can keep for themselves.

U.S. team captain Keegan Bradley’s already said he’s giving away his entire amount to charity.

"Sometimes, people look at the PGA as this big organization, but it’s really 41 sections," PGA president Don Rea told GolfChannel.com. "All we’re trying to do is grow the game."

The timing’s interesting – nobody was actually asking for more money. In fact, the PGA says no players were even consulted about the change.

Scottie Scheffler, currently the world’s top-ranked player, shared his thoughts earlier this month: "I think all of us on the American side are more than willing to play in the Ryder Cup for free. We’ve been doing it for a long time."

But he’s not against the idea either. "If they want to pay us, that’s great. The tournament makes a good amount of money… I don’t think it takes away from the competition at all."

This new payment plan kicks in next year at Bethpage Black in New York.

It’s been a long road to get here. The push to pay Ryder Cup players started back in the late ’90s, when they first introduced the $100,000 charitable donation plus another $100,000 for golf development.

The change brings the Ryder Cup more in line with the Presidents Cup, where players already get $250,000 stipends.

But there’s one awkward detail: European players don’t get paid at all.

Rory McIlroy, one of Europe’s biggest stars, made his feelings crystal clear last month: "I personally would pay for the privilege to play on the Ryder Cup. The two purest forms of competition in our game right now are the Ryder Cup and the Olympics, and it’s partly because of that – the purity of no money being involved."

Kerry Haigh, the PGA’s interim CEO, acknowledges the difference but stands by the decision: "That’s always been the case with European players. We’re aware what they make goes back into the tour to help the DP World Tour, but we think this is the best thing and the right thing to do for our players."