There has been considerable controversy surrounding the $500,000 paid as a stipend and charity donation to the American side. Even with the recent press conference between the two captains, Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald, the USA Team captain was asked about his move to donate his stipend to charity. Even if he is doing it, will the team members who were already under scrutiny follow it? Interestingly, the captain had a surprising reply for it.

Talking of that, he said,

“Well, 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.”

Ryder Cup players were never offered any stipend before, but they were offered  $200,000 strictly for charity, since 1999. However, now with the increased amount, including a stipend for players, Bradley has chosen to stick to the tradition of donation. He shared it at the start of the season and decided to donate the stipend to charity. In fact, he planned to “get all the boys to do something really nice.”

But during the press conference, when sharing about the team, he 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 we’re going to donate.” 

Further, he added, “But ultimately, the PGA of America asked me to help out with this, and this is the best way we came up with to do it.”

The PGA of America is paying $200,000 per player directed to charity; half of that will be contributed to a PGA of America program, and half to the player’s choice of a charity.

However, the team, after the announcement of the stipend, is already under scrutiny. Now comes the “aren’t comfortable” statement from the captain. Earlier, fellow Ryder Cup player, Patrick Reed, also voiced out against Ryder Cup players getting paid.

He said, “It’s one of those that I really think is unnecessary, to be honest with you. I mean, there are certain events for which money means absolutely nothing. And you know, that’s one of them. But my biggest thing at the Ryder Cup is if you’re going to give money to players, have it all go to charity. There’s no amount of money for which I would want to represent my country. I mean, we could play for zero or play for hundreds of millions; it wouldn’t matter to the guys out there going to try to win the cup.”

Reed has been a patriot, and for his demeanor, he was named “Captain America.” Even for him, the monetary benefit is unnecessary, as he wants it all to be donated. Well, on one side, the Captain hit back at the team. On the other hand, the same player is having a tough time after the recent practice session photos were released.

Patrick Cantlay under the radar of fans even before Keegan Bradley’s statement

The $500,000 being paid for the first time has started an outburst among fans. But that was escalated when the photos of Team USA were shared on Ryder Cup USA’s official X account. The photo collage features Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, and Patrick Cantlay from a practice session that was shared. But what caught attention was Cantlay wearing a hat.

The golfer, who had been under scrutiny for his move in 2023, snubbed the team attire for the monetary benefit. According to GolfWRX, Michael Bamberger reported Cantlay saying, “I’ll wear a hat when I’m paid to be here like he is.” However, he later, during the President’s Cup, clarified that it wasn’t fit for him. But it’s too late for the fans to believe. Even with him wearing a hat, he is accused of getting paid to wear the hat.

Now, with Keegan Bradley taking the other side, teammates are already struggling to improve their image. Can this lead to a disaster in the course against the European side? What do you think about it? Let us know in the comments below.