LPGA Legend Says USA Ryder Cup Payment is ‘Disgraceful’

LPGA legend Laura Davies sounded off on the rumors that the USA Ryder Cup team will be paid for their appearance at the next event at Bethpage Black in 2025, calling it “a bit disgraceful.”

Davies, a 4-time LPGA Major Champion, believes the Ryder Cup is an event that is more signified by the pride and ability to represent your region, and not by the paycheck that golfers have averted while participating in the event.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Davies went on to explain her standpoint:

“Anyone that wants to be paid, it’s a bit disgraceful, really, because if you’re a Ryder Cup player, you’ve earned a lot of money to get into the team, so to want more, for whatever reason or those reasons are. Maybe the ones that are not that bothered, they’ll give it to a foundation and stuff, which would be lovely. But to go on about money to get into a Ryder Cup, I just don’t understand it. I’m sure it’s not all the players, it’s probably just a few that want the money for their own reasons. It won’t be because they feel they need the money, but because they feel the players should be paid.”

The topic of money and payment for a Ryder Cup is a weird issue because it never truly seemed like it was a problem until recent events.

Players are paid millions to play golf through the stretch of a PGA TOUR or LIV Golf season, and the $400,000 they will be roughly paid is not enough to make a significant impact on the lives of the players who will be in the Ryder Cup next year.

Dame Laura Davies says it’s a “bit disgraceful’ that the American team will reportedly be paid for playing at the 2025 Ryder Cup 🏆 pic.twitter.com/TgTfpQiyHP

— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) November 15, 2024

However, it seems some of the Americans were adamant about being paid for their appearance. 

The Europeans have been less-than-impressed with the prospect of the Americans being paid.

Cover Image via LPGA