US golfers under fire over Ryder Cup payments promise to give full $6.5m to charity

The United States Ryder Cup team has been forced onto the defensive after a furious backlash over player payments, with several stars now pledging to donate their money to charity.

For the first time since the scheme was introduced in 1999, American players will receive $500,000 each for competing at the event. Of that, $300,000 is automatically earmarked for charity. But the remaining $200,000, intended as a personal stipend, has ignited controversy on both sides of the Atlantic.

Critics branded the move “shameful”, pointing to the long-standing tradition of playing for national pride. Former US captain Tom Watson said bluntly: “I don’t agree with it. They should be playing for their country and their team-mates.” Former European star Darren Clarke went further, saying the idea of players being paid “does not sit well with me.”

European players, including captain Luke Donald, receive no financial reward. Donald warned that if his team raced into an early lead, American fans could turn their anger towards their own stars: “That could happen,” he said.

Faced with mounting criticism, world number one Scottie Scheffler, Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele confirmed they would donate their entire stipends. Captain Keegan Bradley had already pledged to do the same. If all 12 US players follow through, charities will benefit by a staggering $6.5m (£4.8m).

Scheffler told BBC Sport he and his wife already had plans for the money but would not make them public. “My wife and I like to do a lot in our local community. I don’t like to give charitable dollars for recognition,” he said. “We have something planned, and I’m excited to do some good in Dallas.”

Cantlay echoed the sentiment, emphasising the importance of giving back. “One of the great things about these team events is the charitable component. Hopefully someone growing up in southern California gets an opportunity to follow their dreams,” he said.

Cantlay had been at the centre of controversy in Rome in 2023 when he refused to wear a team cap, reportedly in protest at not being paid. The PGA of America insisted no players had demanded payment, and Cantlay now says the incident was blown out of proportion: “The hat didn’t fit. We made sure I had one this year, so we’re good.”

Schauffele, meanwhile, accused the media of stirring negativity. “It’s something that selfishly will make me feel good about what I do,” he said of his donation. “If we’re able to impact local communities, that’s what should happen.”

Bradley defended the new payments, noting that the $300,000 charitable portion had not risen since 1999. “We wanted to bring the Ryder Cup into today’s age,” he said. “The players are going to do a lot of good with this money.”

But many remain unconvinced. Fifteen-time major winner Tiger Woods had been instrumental in securing payments before the 1999 Ryder Cup, yet even then, the vast majority of funds went straight to charity. This year, however, the decision to include an extra stipend has raised eyebrows, particularly given soaring ticket prices averaging $750.

Donald said his European team unanimously rejected the idea of payments. “We don’t want to get paid. This isn’t a week to get paid. We have a strong purpose in this team and what we play for,” he explained.

With passions already running high ahead of the contest in New York, the row over money has added an extra layer of tension. While the Americans now insist their donations will silence critics, the reputational damage may linger longer than the storm itself.