Woods says US Ryder Cup team should be paid if funds are donated to charity

Tiger Woods believes American players should all be paid millions to play in the Ryder Cup, provided that money is donated to charity.

The PGA of America is close to agreeing on a groundbreaking scenario that would see the U.S. Ryder Cup team paid about $400,000 each to take on Europe in September. This move is a break from tradition and highly controversial, especially since tickets to Bethpage cost $750 each. The European Ryder Cup contingent continues to insist that they should not cut back on event income.

Woods, speaking publicly for the first time since the Open in July, has no problem with the plan; but on one condition. “We had the same conversation in 1999,” said the fifteen-time major winner. “We didn’t want to get paid, we wanted to give more money to charities. The media turned on us and said we wanted to get paid.

“No, the Ryder Cup generates so much money, why can’t we spend it on different charities? And what’s wrong with each player getting $1 million and the ability to distribute it to great charities they’re involved with so they can help? It’s their hometowns, where they’re from, all the different junior golf associations or endeavors that the members are involved with.

“It was never really about getting paid, though [about] How can we make money available to help our sport or help things that we believe in at home, because it’s so hard to get on that team, there’s only twelve guys. What’s wrong with being able to allocate more money?

“I hope they get $5 million each and donate it all to charities, different charities. I think that’s great. What’s wrong with that?”

Woods, who has played in eight Ryder Cups, is expected to captain the USA for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor. He could play an important role at Bethpage, with the situation clouded by the likelihood of Keegan Bradley, the captain, qualifying for his own team.

Woods shrugged off the contrasting payment methods of the US and Europe. “That’s their right to say that,” he said. “I know when it’s on European soil it subsidizes most of their Tour.”

Woods is back in the Bahamas in his role as host of the Hero World Challenge and his alliance with the tournament has now been extended until 2030. Back surgery in September means he will not be part of the 20-strong field. However, the 48-year-old hopes to return to competitive form in 2025.

“This year I had to throw it away,” he said. “I wasn’t as sharp as I needed to be and I wasn’t playing as much as I needed to be to get to the majors and I wasn’t playing well there. Hopefully next year it will be better, I will be physically stronger and better.”

Woods remained vague about the likelihood of a peace deal being reached between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund. Protracted talks have once again fueled speculation that the PIF could alternatively focus on the European DP World Tour.

“Even if we had made a deal by now, it’s still in the hands of the Justice Department,” Woods said. “But we wish we had something more concrete and further along than we are now. I think something will be done. In what form I don’t know yet.”