Report: Former Ryder Cup captain upset explosive letter to PGA of America was leaked

Several former Ryder Cup captains have written to with PGA of America to express their dismay the governing body is reportedly about to sign off on paying U.S. golfers for the very first time in history.

Telegraph Sport were the first to report that the 12 players lining up for Team USA at Bethpage Black next September will be paid $400,000 each. 

The governing body has remained silent on the subject and, skipper Keegan Bradley has reiterated nothing has been made official yet. 

It is understood that once Seth Waugh's successor as chief executive is named then the board will vote on the proposal. 

But Sports Illustrated's Bob Harig has revealed a host of former skippers have joined forces to sensationally block players getting paid. 

One player, who remained anonymous, was upset that the letter was leaked, explaining the correspondence was never intended to get out. 

He said: "This was done with the idea that you should play for your country and not reap financial benefit.

"We are trying to honour those who came before us and honour the Ryder Cup. 

"It's given us a lot of great moments in our lives. We’ve just wanted to show support."

The Ryder Cup pay debate is nothing new. It was a hot topic in 1999 and Tiger Woods recently placed blame on the media for spinning the story. 

Woods, 48, told reporters before the Hero World Challenge that players want to get paid, but only so they can give more to charity. 

The 15-time major champ suggested each player receives $5,000,000 each with the condition it goes to charity. 

While it has not been substantiated, it is understood that current players such as Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay have expressed frustration that they are not compensated. 

The Times of London previously reported Schauffele was almost blocked from competing in the 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy over a dispute with the PGA of America about the use Netflix cameras in the team room. 

His father Stefan told the paper: "If the PGA of America is a for-profit organisation, they need to have the players share in that profit."

Cantlay didn't wear a team cap in Rome and it was reported that he was protesting. 

He has repeatedly denied this was the case and, when asked about the issue earlier this month, refused to be drawn in to commenting. 

On the other side, it appears the Europeans' stance is clear: players should not be getting compensated.

Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia have delivered their strong verdicts over the past two months. 

Legendary tour caddie Billy Foster recently told Mirror Sport: "If the Americans want $400,000 to play then let them have it, because our lads won't want anything.

"This has been going on for years and years. I remember wearing a t-shirt in 1999 at the Ryder Cup.

"My t-shirt had a European flag on it and it said 'We play for pride, not money'. That has been going on for 25 years. They were moaning about it then."

What do you think about this topic?

Let us know with a comment on X or join us on Facebook.

Watched our latest YouTube video?