US PGA Introduces Appearance Fees for American Players
Donation Raised from $200,000 to $300,000
Cantlay Did Not Wear Hat Last Year to Protest No Pay
'European Backlash' McIlroy: "The Ryder Cup Is an Honor"
The Ryder Cup, a golf competition between the United States and Europe, has introduced appearance fees.
The United States Professional Golf Association announced that it will pay $200,000 to American players participating in next year's Ryder Cup. Photo by Ryder Cup
The PGA of America, which organizes the Ryder Cup, announced on the 16th (local time) that "appearance fees will be introduced for U.S. Ryder Cup team members, and the donation amount that players designate will be increased from $200,000 to $300,000, effective from next year." This is the first time in Ryder Cup history that players are financially compensated for participation. U.S. players will receive an appearance fee of $200,000 (approximately 290 million KRW).
The PGA of America explained, "No player has demanded money in exchange for participation," but added, "the board has made this decision." U.S. players have consistently expressed dissatisfaction with competing in the Ryder Cup without any compensation. This decision appears to ultimately accept the players' demands.
The Ryder Cup features the best active players. It is known to generate astronomical revenue based on tremendous public popularity. The PGA of America has been reluctant to provide financial compensation, stating that representing the team in the Ryder Cup is an honorable achievement for players. In 1999, they implemented a plan to donate $200,000 to organizations designated by the players to appease their dissatisfaction, but this amount had not been increased at all until last year.
Player dissatisfaction escalated after last year's tournament in Rome, Italy. The so-called "Hat Gate" incident occurred. It arose during the expression of dissatisfaction with the lack of financial compensation in the Ryder Cup. At that time, Patrick Cantlay (USA) was suspected of playing without wearing a hat as a form of protest against the absence of appearance fees.
However, this decision by the PGA of America is expected to spark another controversy among European Ryder Cup players. Unlike U.S. players, European players have never demanded appearance fees. During last year's tournament, the "Hat Gate" incident led fans supporting the European side to openly criticize the U.S. team players as being money-minded, escalating tensions to a hostile atmosphere.
Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) recently said in an interview with the BBC, "I would be willing to pay to participate in the Ryder Cup," emphasizing, "The purest competitions in golf are the Ryder Cup and the Olympics. Neither involves money." Next year's Ryder Cup will be held over three days from September 26 at the Black Course of Bethpage State Park in New York, USA. The U.S. team captain is Keegan Bradley, and the European team captain is Luke Donald (England).
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