US RYDER CUP PLAYERS TO BE PAID FOR FIRST TIME EVER

Next year’s Ryder Cup will be one where history is made before any of the players even walk up to a tee.

For the first time in the tournament’s 98-year history, the players from the United States team will be paid to compete.

The 12 players will each receive around R9.2 million. Out of that amount, around R5.5 million will be donated to a charity chosen by each member of the team.

The PGA of America said in a statement that the remuneration package was approved without any of the players asking to be paid.

“The players and captains, past and present, are responsible for the Ryder Cup becoming the most special competition in golf and one of the most in-demand events on the international sports scene.”

During last year’s event, Patrick Cantlay refused to wear the American team cap. At the time, it was reported that he did so out of protest for not getting paid to compete.

Meanwhile, Irishman Rory McIlroy said last month that for him it’s such a privilege to play in the Ryder Cup that he would pay to do so.

“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.

Image credit: World Choice Sports