Rory McIlroy and LIV Golf’s Tyrrell Hatton have both shared their thoughts on the news that Team USA players will be paid to compete in the Ryder Cup from 2025 onwards
Rory McIlroy has made it clear that he would pay to play for Europe in the Ryder Cup, despite reports that Team USA players will pocket $400,000 each in 2025.
The golfing world was abuzz when Patrick Cantlay made headlines at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome for refusing to wear the American team cap, protesting the lack of compensation for players. Now, following a deal by the PGA of America, Keegan Bradley’s squad is set to receive $4.8 million to split.
Speaking after tying for the lead with a five-under 67 at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, McIlroy shared his thoughts with BBC Sport on the American players’ upcoming payday. This development comes as men’s professional golf sees unprecedented prize money, spurred by the emergence of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.
“I personally would pay for the privilege to play on the Ryder Cup,” McIlroy declared. “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.”
He added: “I don’t think any of the 24 players on either team needs that 400 grand. Every two years, there are 104 weeks and 103 weeks you can play golf and get paid.”
At the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, European fans cheekily doffed their caps to rile up Cantlay during his protest. The American golfer was miffed about the revenue share; the 2023 Ryder Cup raked in a cool $11.8 million from a hefty turnover of $136.6 million.
McIlroy gets the debate given the Ryder Cup’s financial clout but reckons paychecks could spoil the event’s ethos. The Northern Irish golf ace also spilled that he and his mates in Europe captain Luke Donald’s squad aren’t keen on cashing in.
McIlroy has won the Ryder Cup multiple times
“I think we would all welcome money if it didn’t change the dynamic but the money really would change the dynamic,” McIlroy said. “That’s why I think everyone is like, let’s not do that.”
LIV Golf star Tyrrell Hatton, neck and neck with McIlroy in Dubai, added: “The next 10 months I’ll be trying my best to be on that team. The US lads, it’s up to them. I’m on the European team and I would love to be there at Bethpage.”
Cash has been a hot topic in the run-up to next year’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage, which has sold out despite daily tickets setting fans back a record $750, sparking division among the crowd.
