Arnold Palmer was unequivocal in his view on the idea of players being paid for appearing at the Ryder Cup.
The subject of players receiving payment for featuring in the Ryder Cup has certainly been prominent in recent years.
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There were reports in 2023 that Patrick Cantlay was not wearing a cap in Rome in protest at not being paid. The American insisted that they were simply unable to find a hat that fit – which is hard to believe ahead of an event where not one stone is left unturned. Cantlay became the pantomime villain among the fans that week.
And with that, it was no surprise when it was announced ahead of the 2025 event at Bethpage that Team USA’s players would receive $500,000 each. Of that, $300,000 would immediately be donated to charity, while the remaining $200,000 could be used as the players wished.
How Arnold Palmer felt about the idea of players being paid to appear at the Ryder Cup
Keegan Bradley insisted everything he received would go to good causes. And he was far from the only person who planned to give all of the money away. Nevertheless, it was not the best look – and definitely an own goal.
Someone who would have been far from happy to see how the situation played out was Arnold Palmer. The King was involved with seven teams, including in 1963 when he won as playing captain.
And speaking to Golf Digest in 2000, he was asked about his past comments about not having any sympathy for players who want to be compensated.
“Yes, and that hasn’t changed. It’s ridiculous,” he said. “If a player insists on being paid, I would skip him and go to the next man. If players, individually or as a group, want to ask questions of the PGA of America or the PGA Tour or any other organization, do it in the proper manner. Like I said before, settle problems from within. And remember, it’s for your country.
“The Ryder Cup is not an ordinary event. I don’t discourage players from asking questions, but if they don’t trust an organization, they should find out more about the organization. When Jack Nicklaus and I did what we did years ago about branching off into a PGA Tour, it wasn’t so much a knock on the PGA of America as it was creating a PGA Tour that could operate autonomously. And I think you’d have to say the PGA Tour has done well as a separate entity from the PGA of America. I also think the PGA of America and the PGA Tour, both of which have become quite wealthy, owe it to their players and the public to be careful how they handle their funds.
“I am very much for – and this is not a selfish thing – pushing both organizations toward taking their retirement funds back, retroactively, to look after some of the players who need help. I am not going to name names, because I don’t want to embarrass anybody, but there are a number of older players who have contributed a lot to this sport. They played in a time when you couldn’t make all you needed in a short period of time, as is the case now, and I think it’s the responsibility of both organizations to address this situation. This is very bad, and we need to take care of these guys.”
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Of course, it is fantastic that a number of charities would have received even more money. However, it is fair to say that most who have had any connection with the Ryder Cup over the years would agree with Palmer’s view.
The European team did not take a similar path. It certainly seemed to help bring Luke Donald‘s men closer together. And Donald was not afraid to remind everyone that their opponents were being paid.
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The decision also seemed to upset a number of Bradley’s predecessors. According to Sports Illustrated, 12 former US captains signed a letter to the PGA of America to voice their opposition to the plans to pay players.
Optically, it was a terrible look for the American team, particularly when they went on to be completely outplayed by the European side over the first two days in New York.
And, when Team USA threatened to produce the greatest sporting comeback of all time, it was somewhat fitting that it was Cantlay who ended up being the only member of Bradley’s team to lose on Sunday.
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