Browsing: U.S

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. – European captain Luke Donald claimed Thursday that he wasn’t taking a shot at the Americans when he said in his speech at the opening ceremony that his team plays for “something money can’t buy.â€

Donald’s comment raised eyebrows as the pay-for-play issue has once again come to the forefront at Bethpage Black, with the Americans, for the first time, receiving a $200,000 stipend to compete in the biennial matches.

Ever since the announcement last December that the Americans would be paid a six-figure sum, in addition to a $300,000 donation to each player’s charity, Donald and the Europeans have been quick to weaponize the issue. Earlier this week, Donald told Sky Sports that he and the rest of the European team feel as though “this isn’t a week to get paid.†Though the Europeans players aren’t being directly compensated this week, profits from Ryder Cups hosted by Europe are used to subsidize the DP World Tour and its other circuits. Many, if not all, of the Americans said this week that they intend to donate the entire $500,000 amount to charitable organizations.

“Being able to steward that money in our own communities at home, I think that’s a great thing,†Sam Burns said. “The PGA of America giving us the opportunity for us to do that is really special.â€

In his speech on Wednesday, however, with U.S. captain Keegan Bradley and the Americans seated behind him, Donald said that the Ryder Cup is “not about prize money or world-ranking points. It’s about pride. It’s about representing your flag, your shirts, and the legacy you leave behind.†He continued, “We are fueled by something money cannot buy: Purpose, brotherhood, and a responsibility to honor those who came before us, while inspiring those whose time is yet to come.â€

Donald was asked about the perceived dig at the Americans when he met with the media following the unveiling of the Friday foursomes pairings.

“Well, it wasn’t directed at the U.S.,†he said. “My speech was directed at my players. I wrote that speech six months ago. We have been very consistent where we stand and what we play for. We’re not concerned about what the U.S. are doing.â€

Donald was previously asked by a reporter whether the captains should get paid for what amounts to a two-year job. He laughed and said, “Oh, I’m going to stick with my team. I think if the captain gets compensated and the players don’t, that’s a little bit murky. So, no.â€

On Wednesday at the 2025 Ryder Cup, fans at Bethpage Black witnessed a rarity: the Opening Ceremony, one day early. Forecasted thunderstorms forced organizers to move the festivities from their traditional spot on Thursday, on the eve of the first matches, to Wednesday.

The schedule change also meant that the announcement of Friday’s player pairings and matchups was not included in the proceedings, as it usually is. But another tradition was broken, too. Amid his Opening Ceremony speech on Wednesday, European Luke Donald took a couple of subtle digs at the U.S. players.

And his comments did not come in a vacuum. They followed a campaign Donald and the European team have enacted to try and rattle the American Ryder Cup team over money. More specifically, the fact that U.S. players are getting paid this year, and the European pros are not.

Here’s what you need to know.

Ryder Cup player pay controversy from 2023-2025

The origin of Ryder Cup money controversy dates back to the biggest controversy from the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome.

There, a European journalist reported that American player Patrick Cantlay refused to wear a U.S. team hat in protest for not being paid to play the Ryder Cup. The accusations touched other American players too, though Cantlay strongly denied them.

Why Ryder Cup Money is already a sticky topic at Bethpage

By:

Sean Zak

The controversy, known as HatGate, extended to the course, where fans taunted Cantlay and the American team in Rome, and Cantlay responded by waving an imaginary hat after making putts or winning holes.

Things got serious in one Saturday match featuring Cantlay and Rory McIlroy, where Cantlay’s caddie Joe LaCava waved his hat on the green in McIlroy’s vicinity, resulting in a shouting match between the teams.

The scuffle spilled into press conferences and into the parking lot.

Then late last year, when the PGA of America announced U.S. Ryder Cup players would receive $300,000 for charities of their choosing plus a $200,000 stipend to use however they wish, European players jumped on it. Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry made comments on the topic soon after, with McIlroy saying he would “pay for the privilege to play” the Ryder Cup.

Donald has kept the theme alive throughout the past year in various interviews. This week has been no different.

For example, in a Monday interview with Sky Sports, Donald brought the topic up again as if for the first time.

“This came up and I wanted to get ahead of it. I talked to the 12 guys in Rome when it looked like the U.S. were going to do something different with payments and, you know, every one of them was just like, ‘We don’t want to — this isn’t a week to get paid,’” Donald said.

Then came his Opening Ceremony speech.

Donald throws shade at American Ryder Cup pros in Opening Ceremony

Traditionally, captains’ speeches at the Ryder Cup Opening Ceremony are all about sportsmanship, thank yous and a little bit of team boosting.

Donald’s speech certainly hit on all those points. It was in no way a broadside against the U.S. team.

Take his kind words about U.S. captain Keegan Bradley, for example.

“To Keegan, Jillian and your two boys, Logan and Cooper, Diane and I have really valued our friendship over the years, and we know that bond will last well beyond this week no matter the outcome. It’s been a pleasure to share this Ryder Cup captaincy with you. Thank you for your friendship and all the memories along the way.”

Or these comments about the U.S. team.

“To the 12 players of Team USA, your talent and passion are never in doubt. We know you’ll bring your best. We promise to do the same.”

But Donald’s speech also featured thinly-veiled digs at the American players over the money issue.

“We come to you this week not just as individual players from nine different nations but as one team, a team defined by history, by unity and by belief that we are playing for something far greater than ourselves,” Donald began, laying the seeds for his slight at the U.S. players. “The Ryder Cup means so much to each and every one of us. It is unlike anything else in our sport.”

When he brought up the topic of money for the first time, he did so by arguing that the European Ryder Cup players are too noble to play the Ryder Cup for money.

“It is not about prize money or world ranking points,” Donald said. “It’s about pride. It’s about representing your flag, your shirts, and the legacy you leave behind.”

‘Embarrassing stupidity’: Former Ryder Cup star blasts U.S. golf fans

By:

Kevin Cunningham

He then continued to list the things that his European team plays for other than money.

“We play for our families, our teammates, our countries, our continent, and for the generations before us who made this event what it is today.”

The question many American fans, and perhaps players, were asking themselves at this point in the speech was this: Is he suggesting that the U.S. Ryder Cup players don’t play for their families, country and flag, but play only for money?

Donald provided that answer when, later in his speech, he brought up the topic of player pay again.

“We are fueled by something money cannot buy: Purpose, brotherhood, and a responsibility to honor those who came before us, while inspiring those whose time is yet to come,” Donald said.

It’s important to note that several former European Ryder Cup stars knowingly threatened their future involvement in the event by taking large sums of money to join LIV Golf, among them Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia. In fact, the original captain for the 2023 European Ryder Cup team was Henrik Stenson, but Stenson was removed from the position after joining LIV himself. Donald was his replacement.

Additionally, the $300,000 stipend American players will receive this year, which some have already said they will give to charity, is an insignificant amount compared to the many millions each player earned on the course this season.

At this point, captain Donald and the European’s strategy to paint the American Ryder Cup players as caring only about money and not winning is clear. What isn’t obvious is why they think this is a sound strategy.

Whether it’s the Ryder Cup or a playoff series in other professional sports, teams’ regularly draw inspiration from opponents’ critiques. Usually, the goal is to not provide the other team with any “bulletin-board material” that might fire them up.

We’ll have to wait to see which team ends up benefitting from the Ryder Cup player-pay controversy when the first matches tee off Friday morning.

The Ryder Cup’s opening ceremony is always one of the highlights of the biennial competition. It’s a time when both teams make an entrance — as well as their partners — dressed to impress. We hear speeches from the captains, and the match-ups are announced for the first day of play.

Inside the design process for the U.S. Ryder Cup team’s Ralph Lauren uniforms

By:

Jessica Marksbury

This year played out a bit differently, however. The opening ceremony was moved up by a day to avoid potential thunderstorms on Thursday. So while the pomp and circumstance of the event remained intact, the match-ups announcement will wait until Thursday, the day before the start of the competition.

The atmosphere at New York’s Bethpage Black was festive on Wednesday, and the U.S. team looked resplendent in head-to-toe Ralph Lauren, which is supplying the U.S. team’s wardrobe for the seventh consecutive time.

The U.S. team’s natty suits were composed of five elements: trousers, shirt, tie, pocket square and blazer, plus sunglasses and loafers. Each item that is available for purchase is linked below.

U.S. team Opening ceremony suit

Polo Ralph Lauren The Iconic Doeskin Two-Button Blazer

our iconic Polo blazer is the result of time-honored traditions spanning decades of impeccable design. Its doeskin wool was custom-developed in collaboration with Italian weavers to achieve a finer, softer, and lighter feel than anything before.

Polo Ralph Lauren Classic Fit Poplin Shirt

This spread-collar shirt is crafted with lightweight cotton poplin that boasts a silky feel.

Polo Ralph Lauren Wool Flannel Trouser

These trousers are expertly crafted with an Italian wool flannel that was custom-developed for Ralph Lauren and feature a classic flat-front silhouette.

Polo Ralph Lauren Alston Leather Penny Loafer

The Alston’s timeless silhouette is realized in full-grain leather and accented with hand-stitched details.

Polo Ralph Lauren Heritage Rugby-Stripe Sunglasses

These rectangular sunglasses feature a slender, streamlined silhouette and are finished with contrast-color stripes.

U.S. wives and girlfriends

The wives and girlfriends wore satin shirtdresses in a deep navy blue, paired with goat skin stiletto heels. Shop their looks below.

Polo Ralph Lauren Satin Tie-Front Wrap Shirtdress

Rendered in soft-falling, lightweight satin, this elegant piece merges classic shirtdress details with a V-neckline and tie-front wrap detail at the waist.

Ralph Lauren Collection Tenney 75 MM Goatskin Pump

Expertly crafted with precision and attention to detail, the Tenney embodies Ralph Lauren’s commitment to luxury.

The Ryder Cup begins on Friday, September 26.

Golf.com Editor

As a four-year member of Columbia’s inaugural class of female varsity golfers, Jessica can out-birdie everyone on the masthead. She can out-hustle them in the office, too, where she’s primarily responsible for producing both print and online features, and overseeing major special projects, such as GOLF’s inaugural Style Is­sue, which debuted in February 2018. Her origi­nal interview series, “A Round With,†debuted in November of 2015, and appeared in both in the magazine and in video form on GOLF.com.

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. – Collin Morikawa added some much-needed levity to a week that has been dominated by talk of player stipends and perceived greed.

After deftly sidestepping the issue of stipends – which are being given to U.S. Ryder Cup players this week at Bethpage – Morikawa was asked if there was anyone in the U.S. team room who was particularly motivating.

“It’s actually been great. The vice captains we have are definitely trying to get into our wallets and in our heads, and that’s like something you normally don’t get,†Morikawa said.

Morikawa explained that during practice rounds on the Black Course, the vice captains, led by Brandt Snedeker and Kevin Kisner, have been challenging players with an assortment of prop bets.

“I’ve had a lot of prop bets. I’ve had a lot of fairway bets, birdie bets,†Morikawa explained. “I’m up on [Snedeker] but not by much. Xander [Schauffele] is taking the cake this week [from Kisner]. I’m positive on Sneds. Sneds is the main one that I think we all love to pick on and we love to have him as our bank.â€

As for the “other†financial questions this week and the $200,000 stipend U.S. players are receiving from the PGA of America for their participation, Morikawa had a more nuanced answer to what has become a complicated and polarizing issue.

“There’s no number. It could be zero. It could be one dollar. There isn’t a right or a wrong amount,†Morikawa said when asked if he thought the team was being “fairly†compensated. “All 12 of us here playing, when we tee it up on Friday, and before this all started, we just want to win the Ryder Cup. We want to win it for ourselves. We want to win it for our country.

“When we stood out [on the first tee] two days ago and we got speeches from the Nassau Players Club and we got speeches from the firefighter and his son, look, I’m not an emotional guy, but like there was emotions. And sometimes it just hits home.â€

The PGA of America altered its policy for Ryder Cup player compensation last December, increasing the amount given to each player for charity to $300,000 and adding the $200,000 stipend that can be used however the player wants.

The move has been questioned by those from Europe who have been quick to point out that those playing for the Continent are not compensated.

Sep 24, 2025, 10:21 AM ET

Tommy Fleetwood is wary of the wounded Americans as Europe bid to defend the Ryder Cup they won emphatically two years ago.

Europe thrashed the United States 16.5-11.5 in Rome in 2023 to bounce back from their own heavy loss in the previous encounter.

Fleetwood was motivated by a desire to atone for Europe’s record 19-9 defeat at Whistling Straits in 2021 and he expects the U.S. attitude to be similar now the boot is on the other foot at Bethpage Black this week.

“I think all of us that were on that team didn’t feel like we did ourselves justice in the way that we played and never really gave ourselves a chance. We were behind from the get-go,” he said.

“I think when you’ve lost one, yes, of course you have a chip on your shoulder. You have that feeling of hurt.

“I think one of the most motivating things you can have is watching the other team celebrate when you’ve lost.

Team Europe star Tommy Fleetwood said the hammering at Whistling Straits motivated him for the next Ryder Cup. David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images

“It came to Rome and I guess it was a very new look of a team –, and a home crowd, home advantage, and we took that.

The Englishman, playing in his fourth Ryder Cup, said: “At Whistling Straits, there’s no other way of putting it, we took a hammering.

“Winning that one was really, really satisfying and of course the American team will have similar sorts of feelings.

“They’ll have been hurt from last time and they’ll come here and want to win and be at home and win in front of their home crowd — and that’s just as it should be.”

Fleetwood played a starring role on his Ryder Cup debut as Europe won in Paris in 2018 and was again outstanding in Rome, where he effectively played the match-winning shot.

The 34-year-old Merseysider is now one of the senior members of the side and boasts great form having won the big-money Tour Championship as he celebrated his first PGA Tour title last month.

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Yet in terms of the team, he still considers himself some way below Rory McIlroy — twice a foursomes partner in Rome — in the pecking in order.

Fleetwood said: “Whoever gets to play with Rory this week — what a privilege. What an amazing thing to be able to do, to stand next to him on the golf course and play alongside him.

“He’s one of, if not the, greatest players of our generation.

“I like the energy he has, that he brings to your team, that he brings to the Ryder Cup. I think it’s amazing.

“If I’m one of them that gets a chance to play with him, I would love that opportunity and whatever energy he decides to bring, I’ll be there to support him and be a good partner for him.”

Anna Hall stormed to the title befitting her list leader status. Taliyah Brooks took it down to the wire to tie a multis icon for bronze. (KEVIN MORRIS)

ON PAPER, Anna Hallâ€s search for her first global gold medal might have seemed daunting.

After all, the field included Nafi Thiam and Katarina Johnson-Thompson, who have combined to win every previous one since â€16 and went 1-2 in Paris last summer.

But even at their very best, neither had scored as high as the 7032 total Hall posted in early June at Götzis. Only WR holder JJK has.

So unsurprisingly, Hall nailed that sought-after gold easily after taking silver (â€23) and bronze (â€22) in her previous WCs. Meanwhile, another 24-year-old — Irelandâ€s Kate Oâ€Connor— PRed by 227 points for the silver. The only finishing drama was in a delightful battle for the bronze.

Hereâ€s how it went down.

100H: Taliyah Brooks was fastest at 12.93 and Hall also started well at 13.05, 21 points better than in her Götzis score. KJT (13.44) and Thiam (13.59) were both in their first multis of the year but close to their times from Paris last year. Oâ€Connor also ran 13.44 — the first of 6 PRs she would have here.

HJ: Hall gained the overall lead she would not relinquish after she and Thiam were tops at 6-2¼ (1.89). The best high jumpers were off PR form. Hall had cleared a hept AR 6-4¾ (1.95) at Götzis and Thiam owns the hept WR of 6-7 (2.02) from â€19. KJT (PR 6-6/1.98) was a bar below at 6-1¼ (1.86) — a height that gave audible splendor as a PR for Oâ€Connor. The Irishwoman was now tied for 3rd overall with Johnson-Thompson.

SP: This event may have sealed it for Hall, who PRed twice. She joined the 50-foot club at 50-3¼ (15.32) in round 1 before blasting a final 51-10 (15.80). It also may have marked a changing of the guard as Hall topped Thiam for the first time in the shot in nearly doubling her lead, now at 147 points. Among Americans, only Jane Frederick (53-5¾/16.30), Kym Carter (52-8 ¾/16.07) and JJK (52-6/16.00) have ever put farther in a heptathlon. Thiam threw next-farthest at 48-8¾ (14.85). Oâ€Connor remained in 3rd (56 points behind Thiam) after her only non-PR of the meet, 47-1¾ (14.37).

200: Hall was second-fastest at 23.50 in capping her Day 1 total of 4154, just 7 points off her Götzis pace as her lead grew to 248 points. Oâ€Connor now led the chase pack at 3906 followed closely by KJT (3893) and Sofie Dokter (3890). Brooks was in 5th at 3828 as Thiam dropped to 6th at 3818.

LJ: Brooks launched out to 22-3½ (6.79), breaking a 7-year-old PR with a mark that would have placed 5th in the championship long jump. She also moved into 2nd overall, 111 points behind. Leader Hall was still very much in overall control despite struggling to reach the board with a best of 20-1 (6.12). KJT was sub-par at 21-¾ (6.42) (with a longer foul) and Oâ€Connor went 20-5 (6.22) (an outdoor PR) while Thiam managed just 19-8 (5.99) before dropping out.

JT: PRs landed for 7. including most of the contenders with Oâ€Connor leading the way at 174-2 (53.08). She moved to 2nd and virtually secured the silver behind Hall, who threw a PR 157-11 (48.13). Brooks dropped to 3rd despite a PR 142-3 (43.37) but improved her lead over KJT — who managed only 137-6 (41.91) — from 56 points to 84.

800: Hall bided her time until the final homestretch and won the race in 2:05.08 to seal her gold (6888). The next most watched runners were KJT and Brooks. The latterâ€s 84-point lead was worth about 6 seconds in the 800, but KJTâ€s PR of 2:04.90 was 8.32 seconds faster than Brooksâ€s (2:13.22). Here KJT finished 2nd in 2:07.38 and Brooks countered with her third PR of Day 2 at 2:13.17. That result yielded scores of 6581 for each to tie for the bronze after Oâ€Connor cemented the silver (6714 NR).

Hallâ€s gold was the first by an American since JJK in 1993, and Brooks gave the U.S. two in the medal count for the first time since 1987 (JJK gold, Frederick bronze).

“This gold means so much,†assessed the exuberant Hall. “Jackie [Joyner-Kersee] and I have talked about the Worlds and I am so glad to finally get my gold. I struggled with injuries in 2024 and my body did not let me perform to my full potential in Paris. Moving forward, I will continue to put my head down and try to improve in every event.

“I donâ€t think it has sunk in yet. I always believed I would be able to win but my body was not ready [at the 2024 Olympics]. I really enjoyed the crowd. One thing Jackie told me is to enjoy the moment because you never know. She told me to go out there and have fun. She texted me after most of the events. She told me to stand on my feet and hydrate. She even texted me after the long jump, saying to let it go and focus on the javelin. Itâ€s great to have her in my corner. She has a lot of confidence in me and I am so thankful for that.â€

WOMENâ€S HEPTATHLON RESULTS

(September 19–20)

1. Anna Hall (US) 6888

(13.05, 6-2¼/1.89, 51-10/15.80, 23.50 [4154-1], 20-1/6.12, 157-11/48.13, 2:06.08 [2734]);

2. Kate Oâ€Connor (Ire) 6714 NR

(13.44, 6-1¼/1.86, 47-1¾/14.37, 24.07 [3906-2], 20-5/6.22, 174-1/53.06, 2:09.56 [2808]);

3. Taliyah Brooks (US) 6581 PR (8, x A)

(12.93, 5-9¾/1.77, 45-8/13.92, 24.18 [3828-5], 22-3½/6.79, 142-3/43.37, 2:13.17 [2753]);

3. Katarina Johnson-Thompson (GB) 6581

(13.44, 6-1¼/1.86, 43-10½/13.37, 23.51 [3893-3], 21-¾/6.42, 137-6/41.91, 2:07.38 [2688]);

5. Sandrina Sprengel (Ger) 6434 PR

(13.60, 5-9¾/1.77, 46-10¾/14.29, 24.36 [3736-9], 20-6¼/6.25, 169-6/51.66, 2:15.95 [2698]);

6. Sofie Dokter (Neth) 6432

(13.62, 6-1¼/1.86, 45-10½/13.98, 23.70 [3890-4], 20-2½/6.16, 139-9/42.61, 2:12.63 [2542]);

7. Saga Vanninen (Fin) 6396

(13.44, 5-10¾/1.80, 47-10½/14.59, 24.78 [3777-8], 19-7/5.97, 154-8/47.14, 2:09.33 [2619]);

8. Jade Oâ€Dowda (GB) 6391 PR

(13.34, 5-10¾/1.80, 44-5½/13.55, 25.07 [3696-15], 21-3½/6.49, 151-7/46.20, 2:14.18 [2695]);

9. Emma Oosterwegel (Neth) 6381

(13.28, 5-8½/1.74, 43-9¼/13.34, 24.03 [3714-11], 19-6/5.94, 164-8/50.19, 2:09.48 [2667]);

10. Martha Araujo (Col) 6324

(13.13, 5-8½/1.74, 45-10½/13.98, 24.67 [3718-10], 20-11¼/6.38, 154-2/47.00, 2:19.18 [2606]);

11. Michelle Atherley (US) 6287

(13.22, 5-6/1.68, 45-8/13.92, 23.86 [3704-12], 20-4¼/6.20, 132-3/40.32, 2:07.77 [2583]);

12. María Vicente (Spa) 6207

(13.65, 5-9¾/1.77, 43-9¼/13.34, 23.96 [3704-12], 20-¼/6.10, 146-3/44.58, 2:16.80 [2503]);

13. Sveva Gerevini (Ita) 6167; 14. BeatriÄÄ— JuÅ¡keviÄiÅ«tÄ— (Lit) 6151; 15. Adrianna SuÅ‚ek-Schubert (Pol) 6105; 16. Camryn Newton-Smith (Aus) 5925; 17. Tori West (Aus) 5778; 18. Auriana Lazraq-Khlass (Fra) 5758; 19. Pippi Lotta Enok (Est) 4259;

…DNFs—

Timara Chapman (US) 4790, Nafi Thiam (Bel) 4664, Abigail Pawlett (GB), Vanessa Grimm (Ger) 2590.

TOP 5s BY EVENT

100H: 1. Brooks 1135; 2. Juskeviciute 1120; 3. Hall 1117; 4. Araujo 1105; 5. Atherley 1091; … 9. tie, Johnson-Thompson & Oâ€Connor 1059.

HJ: 1. Hall 2210; 2. Thiam 2127; 3. tie, Johnson-Thompson & Oâ€Connor 2113; 5. Dokter 2087; 6. Brooks 2076.

SP: 1. Hall 3125; 2. Thiam 2978; 3. Oâ€Connor 2932; 4. Dokter 2880; 5. Vanninen 2870; 6. Johnson-Thompson & Brooks 2865.

200: 1. Hall 4154; 2. Oâ€Connor 3906; 3. Johnson-Thompson 3893; 4. Dokter 3890; 5. Brooks 3828.

LJ: 1. Hall 5041; 2. Brooks 4930; 3. Johnson-Thompson 4874; 4. Oâ€Connor 4824; 5. Dokter 4789.

JT: 1. Hall 5865; 2. Oâ€Connor 5743; 3. Brooks 5662; 4. Johnson-Thompson 5578; 5. Sprengel 5555.

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Bryson DeChambeau has faced a good bit of criticism ahead of the Ryder Cup, but United States team captain Keegan Bradley came to his defense.

Bradley said DeChambeau’s “energy” is needed in an event like the Ryder Cup.

“He’s a really fiery player,” Bradley said Tuesday, per ESPN’s Paolo Uggetti. “When you come to a Ryder Cup, you don’t want guys to try to be something they’re not. We have a lot of calm, mellow guys, so we need the energy from Bryson.”

DeChambeau, who is the only member of the United States’ team that competes in LIV rather than the PGA Tour, has been criticized throughout his career, witch much of that criticism being because of his YouTube channel.

Uggetti noted that Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee on Monday called DeChambeau a “captain’s nightmare” who cares only for “interest for himself.”

But DeChambeau’s teammates have his back heading into the event, which begins Friday. Along with Bradley, Scottie Scheffler had high praise for DeChambeau.

“I think Bryson is a tremendous competitor. He’s a great partner as well. I partnered with him in 2021 at Whistling Straits and he was a tremendous guy to be out to be golf course with. He’s a great guy and a good friend and he’s been great in our team room,” Scheffler said, per CBS Sports’ Robby Kalland. “He brings a lot of energy, the people love him, and I think he loves the opportunity to be able to represent his country. He’s a multiple-time U.S. Open winner, and that means a lot to him. Being an American I think means a lot to him as well. I’m excited to kind of unleash him this week.”

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FARMINGDALE, N.Y. – A member of Team USA rocked back on his heels and couldn’t, or wouldn’t, stifle an eye roll.

Day 2 of the warmup to the biennial title bout between the United States and Europe had a familiar tone for the red, white and blue with players now enduring questions about stipend-gate — the predictable fallout that was born from the PGA of America’s attempt to better compensate players for playing the Ryder Cup.

For the U.S. team member, it was an agitated response to what many on this side of the transatlantic divide believe to be a non-story. For those questioning the American team’s motivations, it’s an apropos response to what at best was a mishandled attempt to appease players.

Two things can be true.

The PGA of America’s decision last fall to increase the amount of money given to players who participate in the Ryder Cup for both charitable giving ($300,000) and what was dubbed a “stipend†($200,000) was always going to have a healthy amount of blowback. Team Europe and the Continent’s savvy captain Luke Donald were going to make sure of that.

“This [payment] came up and I wanted to get ahead of it and talk to the 12 guys [two years ago] in Rome when it looked like the U.S. were going to do something different with payments,†Donald told Sky Sports. “Every one of them was just like, ‘We don’t want to get paid – this isn’t a week to get paid.’ We have such a strong purpose in this team and what we play for.

“For me, I was very proud of the guys. The ideals of how this Ryder Cup was set up back in the 1920s by Samuel Ryder and I think he would have been proud, too.â€

To be honest, it’s a bit of a surprise that Donald, who deftly led the Europeans to a commanding victory in Rome, didn’t capitalize on the stipend faux pas even more with an oversized motivational poster in the team room proclaiming, “They play for pay; We play for pride!â€

Donald, subtle as he is, however, will not miss an opportunity to rattle the home team and perhaps even stoke some crowd resentment if the U.S. side stumbles early.

Any good captain would use every tool in his bag, and the stipend situation was always going to be a particularly sharp tool, but that’s not to say the media maelstrom is entirely justified.

The idea that Scottie Scheffler would skip a chance to play for his country if he wasn’t getting an extra $200,000 is comical. For context, the world No. 1 has earned roughly $56.8 million (officially) the past two years on the PGA Tour; the Ryder Cup qualification process is a two-year cycle. That would make his $200,000 haul from the PGA of America for this week’s effort .004% of his on-course income the past two years.

It’s not the money that motivates players on either team, but in the modern era with the Ryder Cup generating so much revenue, it was time to rework the compensation policy regardless of how uncomfortable many of this week’s questions have been.

“The PGA of America came to me, they wanted to bring the Ryder Cup into the present day. The charity dollars hadn’t changed since 1999 and they asked me to sort of shepherd their way into making it into 2025,†U.S. captain Keegan Bradley said. “I think for everyone, it’s a personal decision. A lot of guys aren’t comfortable sharing what they’re going to do with their money, but [I’m] going to donate [the entire $500,000, which includes his stipend].â€

Scheffler, for example, declined to give specifics when pressed for what he intended to do with the $500,000, but others had no problem discussing how they planned to use both the stipend and the charitable portion to benefit various charities.

With inclement weather in the forecast for Thursday the PGA of America moved the Ryder Cup opening ceremony to Wednesday at Bethpage.

“Yeah, I think one of the great things about these team events for me is there’s always such a big charitable component to it, and so I’m going to donate the money to my charity,†said Patrick Cantlay, who found himself at the center of the pay-for-play issue two years ago in Rome. “We work with First Responders Children’s Foundation and we work with the SCPGA Junior Tour and we work with St. Jude and Folds of Honor, and so I’m excited about our continued partnership with those organizations.â€

The PGA of America fashioned the association’s policy for player compensation after the PGA Tour’s format at the Presidents Cup, where players from both the U.S. and International teams receive a $250,000 stipend, and yet no one has ever blamed the International team’s dismal record in those matches on a perceived lack of motivation or misplaced priorities because they are being “paid.â€

The increasingly narrow margins at the Ryder Cup demand that any captain, either for the U.S. or Europe, leverage any advantage, either real or perceived, and Captain Luke is putting on a masterclass at Bethpage. It’s also a straw man argument that conflates gamesmanship with an inflated narrative.

Two things can be true.

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Bryson DeChambeau has been the recipient of harsh criticism ahead of this week’s Ryder Cup, so United States captain Keegan Bradley went to bat for the polarizing LIV Golf star.

Bradley said he believes DeChambeau, the only U.S. player not on the PGA Tour, will be an X factor for the the Americans — not just with his play, but with the energy he is set to bring to the home crowd at Bethpage Black.

“He’s a really fiery player,” Bradley said Tuesday. “When you come to a Ryder Cup, you don’t want guys to try to be something they’re not. We have a lot of calm, mellow guys, so we need the energy from Bryson.”

Bradley’s comments came less than 24 hours after Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee ripped DeChambeau as a “captain’s nightmare” and accused the two-time U.S. Open champion of drumming up “interest for himself” by promoting his YouTube channel rather than talking about the Ryder Cup.

“Bryson plays most of his golf on a tour where he mostly could be in the witness protection program,” Chamblee said Monday during the Golf Channel’s coverage of the Ryder Cup. “Nobody watches, he doesn’t get any attention. So when he does come out, there’s a bit of a circus-barker element to it to drum up some interest for himself.”

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European star Rory McIlroy also took a recent shot at DeChambeau, saying the “only way he gets attention is by mentioning other people.”

DeChambeau, when asked earlier this year about potentially facing McIlroy in the Ryder Cup after the two were paired in the final round of the Masters, said that he intended to “chirp in [McIlroy’s] ear” at Bethpage.

McIlroy responded to those comments last month during an interview with the Guardian.

“I think the only way he gets attention is by mentioning other people,” McIlroy told the Guardian. “That is basically what I think of that. To get attention he will mention me or Scottie [Scheffler] or others.”

When asked Monday by Golf Channel if he had a response to McIlroy’s comments, DeChambeau tried to take the high road.

“All I’m trying to do is inspire kids on YouTube,” DeChambeau said. “Whatever Rory says and whatnot is great. He didn’t mean anything by it. I’m excited, I hope we can have some good banter back and forth and if not and he wants to do what he’s doing, great, no problem. Crowd’s going to be on our side.”

DeChambeau is set to play in his third Ryder Cup this week after not making the team in 2023. It will mark the first time he’s playing in a Ryder Cup as a member of LIV Golf.

DeChambeau’s U.S. teammates have so far heaped praise on him this week, making note about how much he’s done to be involved with the team even though he doesn’t play on the PGA Tour.

“I was telling Keegan, I feel like Bryson could be like the difference for us in a strange way from the standpoint of feeding into these fans, the style of golf he plays,” Xander Schauffele said Tuesday. “He’s been great in the team room.”

“I think what people don’t realize, he’s made a huge effort being a part of this team, flying to team dinners, showing up weeks that he’s playing on the LIV to where we are on the PGA Tour just to be a part of that team,” J.J. Spaun added. “Given his personality and his brand, he’s great with the fans. I think that’s going to be a huge attribute to the team this week.”

Bradley noted the challenge DeChambeau faces of integrating himself into a team full of PGA Tour players, added that “he’s done an exceptional job of making the extra effort.”

Scheffler, who paired with DeChambeau in 2021 at Whistling Straits, called DeChambeau a “tremendous competitor” and a “great partner.” The world No. 1 also noted that the kind of frenzy DeChambeau will be able to create is going to play a key role in their attempt at beating the Europeans.

“He brings a lot of energy, the people love him,” Scheffler said. “I’m excited to unleash him this week.”

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — As United States Ryder Cup members are set to be compensated for the first time in the event’s history, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and several of his teammates said they are planning to donate their entire stipends to charity.

“I’ve never been one to announce what we do. I don’t like to give charitable dollars for some kind of recognition,” Scheffler said Tuesday. “We have something planned for the money that we’ll be receiving. I think it’s a really cool thing that the PGA of America has empowered us to do.”

U.S. captain Keegan Bradley said Monday that the PGA of America approached him last year with the idea of compensating players and asked him to help come up with the best approach. In November, the PGA of America voted to give the 12 players and Bradley $300,000 to donate to a charity of their choice and a $200,000 stipend to spend as they wished.

While Bradley said he didn’t understand the criticism of players being paid, Europe captain Luke Donald has said multiple times that European players rejected the idea of being paid for participating in the event.

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“Every one of them was like, ‘This isn’t a week to get paid,'” Donald said Monday in an interview with Sky Sports. “We have such a strong purpose in this team and what we play for.”

Two-time major winner Xander Schauffele said he also plans to donate his stipend to charity and downplayed the chatter surrounding the money.

“You guys keep talking about it and trying to make it this negative thing. It’s whatever everyone views it as,” Schauffele said Tuesday. “There’s a lot of pride that comes into playing in one of these, and yes, we’re happy to get paid for this, and yes, I plan on donating it. It’s something that selfishly will make me feel good about what I do.”

In December, Schauffele told The Associated Press that, despite the new structure, the plan was for players not to get a single dime.

“I just see it as a whole lot of money going to charity, and we’re going to take a lot of crap,” Schauffele told the AP.

Compensation for the Ryder Cup has been a topic of much debate, going back to the 2023 event in Rome. Patrick Cantlay was asked Tuesday about his role in getting players paid by the PGA of America, but he was adamant that he was not involved.

“I wasn’t a part of that decision-making process. I don’t think any of the team members were,” Cantlay said. “I can only speak for what my plans are.”

Cantlay said he is also planning to donate all his stipend to a specific set of charities that are meaningful to him.

On the topic of the 2023 report that he did not wear a hat in Rome as protest for not being compensated, Cantlay, wearing a USA hat, smiled and said that, as he has said “a million times,” the hat didn’t fit in 2023 and this year he has received one that does fit.

“This event is very good at generating lots of noise and that’s not going to help us put points on the board,” Cantlay said. “I think we need to put 100% of our focus on playing the best golf we can and let the noise be exactly what it is, just noise.”