Luke Donald issues warning to US team on eve of 2025 Ryder Cup: “That could happen”

Of that sum of money, $300,000 will go to charitable causes but the golfers are free to do whatever they want with the remainder of their “stipend”. 

US captain Bradley has already pledged to give away every penny but it remains to be seen whether his team will follow suit. 

The governing body that oversees the US arm of the Ryder Cup previously stressed that no player directly asked to be compensated. 

Former PGA of America chief executive Seth Waugh previously confirmed to Golfweek that the players “didn’t really” ask for compensation. 

But they “asked a lot of questions”. 

Waugh said: “You know, [they asked] ‘Why are we growing the game on the back of me?’ kind of thing. Which I understand, but it’s on the back of everybody. 

“But no, nobody ever specifically said I want to get paid. There are obviously implications of it. 

“We’ve been talking for 25 years about being paid, and now it’ll be how much are we getting paid.”

Plenty took a dismal view of the position that no player asked for compensation. 

Especially amid reports Patrick Cantlay was so annoyed that he wasn’t being paid to participate he decided not to wear a team cap at Marco Simone as a protest. 

Donald has warned the US team, though, that should Bradley’s red, white and blue not perform then they too could face the wrath of the New York crowd. 

“We all know how high the ticket prices are, averaging out at around $750 each. So it’s going to be an expensive trip out for a family of four. 

“If the US players are getting paid, and they aren’t performing, the New Yorkers could make them know about it.”

Europe’s strategic advisor, former captain Paul McGinley, told reporters last week at Wentworth it was obvious the money issue was bubbling under the surface when the matches were played in Rome.