Here’s Everything Players Receive for Playing in the Ryder Cup

*In Partnership with Morning Brew Daily Podcast

Professional golf has rapidly evolved over the last few years to be centered around one word: money. Total purses and winner’s checks have suddenly become what everyone cares about, and to be honest, that sucks.

But this week is different.

This week is about country. This week is about the men next to you. This week is about the colors on your chest.

The Ryder Cup is here, and for the next several days, we get to enjoy the purest form of golf. No checks, no purses, just trying to beat the guys across from you. It’s going to be an absolute blast.

Ryder Cup: How to Watch | Team USA, Team Europe

So, yeah, if you clicked on this to find out what the players earn for playing in the biennial event, cat’s outta the bag. But just because they don’t get a paycheck, it doesn’t mean they walk away empty-handed.

The PGA of America now gives each member of Team USA $500,000—$300,00 of which they are free to donate to the charity of their choice. The other $200,000 does not have to be donated and can be used at their discretion. This change was announced in December of 2024. Before that, each player was given $200,000 to be donated to charity, $100,000 of which went to youth-golf and educational programs selected by the PGA of America (ex. Drive, Chip, & Putt). The other half would be donated to whichever charity the players chose.

Since this program was put into place in 1999, $28.6 million has been delivered to more than 200 organizations.

In recent Ryder Cups, members of Team USA complained about not getting paid to play. It was rumored that Patrick Cantlay didn't wear a hat in Rome in some sort of protest. So that could explain the change in policy.

However, the AP's Doug Ferguson talked with captain Keegan Bradley and Xander Schauffele in Kapalua, and both players were adamant all the money would be donated.

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

“We’re just trying to do the right thing. This is ultimately a PGA of America decision. All we want to do is give more back and make more of an impact," Bradley said.

As for the Europeans, the captain traditionally gifts the team something nice. For example, Luke Donald gifted his winning team customized Air Jordans two years ago—Donald and Michael Jordan are good buddies. The boys from across the pond play for one reason and one reason only—to win.

The first session of the Ryder Cup (foursomes or alternate shot) gets underway Friday morning at 7:10 a.m. ET—it can’t get here fast enough.