KAPALUA, Hawaii — In a groundbreaking move, American players competing in the Ryder Cup will receive compensation for their participation, a first in the event’s history. Xander Schauffele commented on this development on Tuesday, indicating that the ultimate goal is not for players to profit, but rather to channel funds towards charitable causes.
The PGA of America has made the decision to allocate $300,000 to each of the 12 American players and their captain, Keegan Bradley, for donation to charities of their choosing. In addition, each player will receive a stipend of $200,000. In a show of goodwill, Bradley announced his intention to donate his entire stipend to charity.
Although Bradley indicated that this plan was intended from the start, the timing of the announcement came sooner than expected due to a prior report suggesting an even larger compensation package of $400,000 for the players, without clarifying the division between charitable contributions and personal stipends. “Our schedule was thrown off by that report. Our plan was to keep this information under wraps a little longer,” Bradley stated. “Our primary objective is to give back and create a positive impact.”
Discussions about payment for Ryder Cup appearances date back to 1999, when prominent players like David Duval, Tiger Woods, and Mark O’Meara raised questions about the lack of financial acknowledgment for the revenue generated by their participation in such a lucrative event. The PGA of America later agreed to provide $200,000 per player, which would be split equally between a PGA program and the player’s charity of choice.
The issue resurfaced during the 2023 Ryder Cup held near Rome due to rumors surrounding Patrick Cantlay’s decision to forgo wearing a hat in protest of not being paid. Cantlay dismissed these claims, stating there was “not a shred of truth” to the allegations — a sentiment echoed by his teammates. “My focus during the Ryder Cup is solely on representing my country and earning points for my teammates,” Cantlay remarked. “Right now, I am solely concentrated on earning a spot on the team.”
Schauffele, who has won both the PGA and British Open championships, expressed amusement when discussing the PGA of America’s decision to increase the charitable contribution to $300,000 while also offering the stipend. “I see it as a chance to donate more money,” he said. “While the media may portray it differently, the reality is that the funds will go to charity.” He noted that he and Bradley had a well-thought-out plan for their charitable efforts that was disrupted by the early leak of this information.
“Keegan intended for us to do something meaningful with this contribution. Now, with the way this has unfolded, people are focusing on the controversy instead,” Schauffele added. “Learning from experiences on the PGA Tour, we aim to give back meaningfully to our communities, whether that’s supporting local fire departments or police. As someone from the Northeast, we’ll follow Keegan’s guidance.”
The Ryder Cup matches are scheduled to take place from September 26-28 at Bethpage Black in New York, known for its lively crowds. Meanwhile, European stars such as Rory McIlroy have eagerly engaged in the surrounding discussions, emphasizing the deep significance of the Ryder Cup, stating they would be willing to pay merely for the chance to participate. The European team has held victory in eight of the last eleven matchups, though their last triumph on U.S. soil was in 2012.
Schauffele believes these developments will heighten the intensity of the competition. “This controversy adds a new dynamic to the rivalry, enriching the Ryder Cup experience,” he explained. “When tensions rise, excitement follows. Ultimately, this will benefit the Ryder Cup.”
He concluded by noting the tradition of players participating in team events without compensation, proud to donate their earnings to worthy causes. “It’s gratifying for us to give back. We earn substantial amounts throughout the year, so we’re more than happy to contribute,” Schauffele stated.
