In the middle of the payment controversy of the Ryder Cup team, Luke Donald made an indirect comment during the opening ceremony. The biennial event should manage on September 26 at the Bethpage Black Course in New York. However, the 45th edition was surrounded by a debate on the American team receiving additional payments for their appearance in the tournament.
Since the PGA of America announced a bonus prize for the players of the US Ryder Cup team, the problem has sparked a debate on the golf world. Several USA team players, such as Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay, have confirmed that additional costs would be given to charity after the counterpoup. This controversy occurs two years after Cantlay apparently triggered rumors on players not to be paid by not carrying the team’s cap during the 2023 event.
During the opening ceremony of the Ryder Cup 2025 in Bethpage, the captain of the European team Luke Donald gave a subtle excavation to the American team in his speech. Speaking of the value of the biennial event, Donald shared:
“These are no money price or classification points. This is the inheritance you leave.
“We know that it will not be easy … But we are fed by something that money cannot buy. Objective, fraternity and responsibility to honor those who preceded us,” added Donald.
Luke Donald will make his sixth appearance of the Ryder Cup this week and his second as a captain. He led Team Europe to victory in Rome in 2023 with 16.5 points during the American team, which scored 11.5 points at the end of the tournament.
Luke Donald reveals the reaction of the Europe team concerning additional payments
The captain of the European team, Luke Donald, recently spoke of having a conversation with his team after his victory in Rome. In one of his interviews, Donald revealed how each Team Europe player refused additional payments. He shared (Via Sky Sports):
“It came and I wanted to get ahead and talk to the 12 guys from Rome when it seemed that the United States would do something different with payments. Each of them was like” we don’t want to be paid – it’s not a week to be paid “. We have such a strong goal in this team and for what we play.”
Luke Donald added that he prefers to “reinvest” in players’ experiences. He reiterated that these experiences are worth more than earned money.
Edited by Anusha M
