The 2023 Ryder Cup was infamous, not only for the results but also because of a certain controversy. Patrick Cantlay was scrutinized by the media, he refused to wear the US team cap as a sign of protest for not getting paid to play. Although Cantlay denied any such motivation, it does bring out an age-old debate about whether you should be paid for playing in the Ryder Cup. Fast forward to 2025, and American Ryder Cup players are getting paid to play. Tom Watson, a Ryder Cup legend, has now weighed in and drawn attention by disagreeing with Tiger Woods.

Tom Watson joins Golf Central to reflect on the compensation debate. When asked by the host, “How would that sit with you in terms of the American team being compensated for playing?” Watson replied, “Personally, I don’t agree with it. I think they gave us some money for favorite charities, and I think that was the right thing to do for the players. But again, I just don’t think that the players should be paid.” His comments underline his belief that representing one’s country should be reward enough, with charity contributions serving as a fair compromise.

Tiger Woods, however, has welcomed the PGA of America’s recent decision to pay players at the 2025 Ryder Cup. The arrangement includes a $200,000 stipend and a $300,000 donation to each player’s chosen charity. Speaking at the PNC Championship, Woods said it was “a great move and headed in the right direction,”. Emphasizing the increased charitable benefit. He has long supported allocating Ryder Cup revenues to good causes. Rather than direct payments, dating back to the 1999 controversy, when it first began.

Meanwhile, European captains like Paul McGinley reject paying players entirely, warning it erodes the Ryder Cup’s spirit. They insist pride, honor, and representing one’s nation should remain the sole reward. Watson’s stance aligns with theirs, emphasizing that charity-only contributions preserve the balance between money and tradition. However, Woods’s take also seems like a viable option that can be adopted by Europe as well, where prestige and money are both earned, as well as a move for the greater good.

However, this debate does not have a simple answer. Now that American players are getting paid, what does it mean for the European team and the event’s future?

Tradition, money, and the future of golf’s biggest stage

The Ryder Cup payment debate cuts to the heart of what the event represents: tradition versus commercialization. For decades, players have competed for pride, legacy, and country rather than money, with revenues supporting the wider golf ecosystem—especially in Europe, where Ryder Cup profits help sustain the DP World Tour and grassroots programs. So, in that light, critics argue that paying players risks undermining that identity, setting a precedent that shifts the event toward appearance fees and eroding the “special” status that distinguishes it from yearly tournaments. Rory McIlroy captured that sentiment bluntly, saying he would “pay for the privilege” to play, emphasizing that representing one’s country should remain the true reward.

Yet the financial side is hard to ignore. The Ryder Cup generates hundreds of millions through TV rights, tickets, and sponsorships, while players’ images and performances drive much of that value without direct compensation. As per GlobeData, the 2023 Ryder Cup agreed on 47 broadcast deals and 34 sponsorship deals, including BMW and Rolex, as global partners. It was also estimated that the tournament had an annual sponsorship value of $88.7 million. So, the payment issue in that light becomes a topic of huge debate among players.

Although some U.S. players, like Tiger Woods, have pushed for charity-based stipends as a middle ground, others have highlighted concerns over usage rights and fairness. This was highlighted in 2023 by Xander Schauffele’s dad, Stefan. Stefan argued that, “if all proceeds, net proceeds, from the Ryder Cup were to be donated to common charitable causes. Right now, the American players are asked to donate their time pro bono in the name of patriotism so these organizations can benefit from the profits.” The PGA of America does distribute 20 percent of the Ryder Cup media-rights revenue to the PGA Tour, a PGA of America spokesperson confirmed. That figure roughly sums up to around $11 million biannually, per Golf.com.

So, with cultural differences also shaping the debate, the question remains whether Ryder Cup revenues should prioritize players or the broader game, and whether payment risks dilute the very mystique that made the event iconic.