Ryder Cup organisers caused quite a stir on Monday after announcing the ticket prices for the Bethpage Black event next September.
Weekend tickets in the region of $750 angered golf fans, and many are now set to miss out on one of golf’s most unique events.
The ridiculous pricing comes just a year after Patrick Cantlay reportedly protested against the commercial gain made by Ryder Cup stakeholders whilst the players go unpaid.
YouTube golf personality Rick Shiels suggested a reason behind the ticket cost: Attendance at Bethpage could be lower than what was witnessed at Marco Simone in 2023.
Nevertheless, those in positions of power within the Ryder Cup have justifiably come under fire.
USA players set to be awarded $200,000 at the 2025 Ryder Cup
Players still won’t be paid at the 2025 edition of the Ryder Cup, which has been the case throughout the event’s history.
However, $2.4 million will be paid out in the players’ direction.
Each member of the 12-man USA team will receive $200,000 to give to the charity of their choice. Furthermore, according to the PGA of America, 20 per cent of Ryder Cup media rights fees also go to PGA Tour players’ deferred compensation plans.
Patrick Cantlay debate set to resurface after Ryder Cup ticket saga
The hike in prices will no doubt see the Cantlay hat-gate discourse emerge. With a 200 per cent increase in ticket pricing, there will be some who will massively benefit from the USA vs Europe clash.
Ryan Lavner, speaking on the Golf Channel Podcast, believes the debate will renew in the wake of the ticket hike.
“This will renew some of those arguments that these players should be paid for playing,” Lavner said. “It was just a year ago Patrick Cantlay was being taunted for hat-gate and all that went into it.
“Xander Schauffele and his father are not happy about the fact we are not being compensated for their efforts as well. In what other sporting pursuit in 2024 would players be asked to pay for free?
“I know the PGA of America gives them $200,000 for the charity of their choice, but this is a massive sporting event, and asking the players to show up and play for their country for free, I think, does not fly.”
Given the cost of tickets, it would not be surprising to see more players make a stand once the 2025 edition begins on Long Island.
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