Team USA's 2025 Ryder Cup payments confirmed as fans hit out at 'shameful' decision

The PGA of America has confirmed that members of the 2025 Ryder Cup team will receive $500,000 each in a landmark deal, with players set to be paid for the first time in the event's history

In a groundbreaking move, the PGA of America confirmed that for the first time players in the 2025 Ryder Cup will get paid, pocketing £393,000 each. This change ends the practice of only charity donations which has been in place since 1999.

The Americans previously received £157,500 to give to charities but will now get an additional £157,500 stipend to spend as they see fit, with £236,000 continuing to go towards charitable causes.

"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," said the PGA of America.

"While no players asked to be compensated, the PGA of America Board of Directors has voted to increase the allocation to the members of the U.S. Ryder Cup team from $200,000 to be directed to charities – a figure unchanged since 1999 – to $500,000, with $300,000 of that to be directed to the charity or charities of the players' choice. The balance is a stipend."

"Golf is a long-established vehicle for good and it's exciting to imagine the impact the members of the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup team will deliver for worthy causes and communities across the country, including the many initiatives that support the growth of the game."

The golfing world is all abuzz as America's finest golfers are set to get a paycheck for smashing it at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. "We are grateful to the many players and captains through the years who have so passionately represented our country and look forward to a memorable 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black."

But there's been a fair bit of rough along the way with Tiger Woods kicking things off back in '99. He fancied the idea of the American team pocketing a share of the Ryder Cup gold mine to do some good in the world. Yet, things really swung into gear after whispers at last year's Rome showdown suggested Patrick Cantlay wasn't a happy bunny with the pay-free policy.

Although he denied strapping on protest boots, he didn't shy away from saying players should get their cut. Meanwhile, Team Europe, led by Luke Donald, won't see a penny – Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry aren't exactly chuffed with the PGA of America's move either.

Stateside, social media has gone into overdrive since Monday's news hit the green, and not everyone's waving their flags. One critic posted: "Players getting $200k to play now. Shameful. Play for your country." Others joined the chorus, slamming the 'bad decision' and poking fun at rooting against their own – could be quite the sport they say.

"We are grateful to the many players and captains through the years who have so passionately represented our country and look forward to a memorable 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black." "Players getting $200k to play now. Shameful. Play for your country." "Bad decision. Should be all charity,".

"Rooting against this USA team as an American is quite fun I must say. Bunch of insufferable, arrogant, losers."

The jaw-dropping cost of entrance to the event has got fans talking, with general admission for a single day at Bethpage reaching an astonishing $750. Discontent is growing among supporters, with one expressing dismay online: "So the exclusionary ticket prices went to give the players a relative drop in the bucket in compensation. This feels really good."