Americans now paid to play in Ryder Cup with $200K stipend and $300K to donate to charity

Americans will be paid to play in the Ryder Cup for the first time under a new PGA of America program announced Monday that gives them a $200,000 stipend and $300,000 for them to distribute to charity.

The $500,000 directed to each of the 12 players and the captain is an increase from the $200,000 — strictly for charity — that began when the pay-for-play issue first arose in 1999 ahead of the Brookline matches.

U.S. captain Keegan Bradley said in a text he would be giving his entire allocation to charity.

“We added the $200,000 stipend out of respect for the players ... so the players could have a say in where the money goes. It’s recognition for all the players have done for the Ryder Cup over the years,” President Don Rea said in a letter to past Ryder Cup captains, noting the stipend would be separate from what players get for expenses.