Tiger Woods: US Ryder Cup players should get $5m and donate to charity
Tiger Woods has suggested that every American player competing in the Ryder Cup should receive $5 million (£3.9 million) and donate the money to charity.
It was reported last month that the 12 American players competing in next year’s 45th biennial European competition at Bethpage Black in New York will each receive $400,000 in prize money.
In its 97-year history, players have never received money for playing for their respective teams.
“We had the same conversation in 1999,” Woods said.
“We don’t want to get paid. We want to give more money to charity, but the media turns it against us and says we want to get paid.
“The Ryder Cup makes so much money, why can’t we distribute it to various charities?
“I hope they (Team USA players) get five million dollars each and donate it all to different charities. I think that’s great. What’s wrong with that?
“It’s so hard to join that team – there are only 12 people. Is there any problem with being able to allocate more funds?”
Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy said he would “pay” to represent Europe in the Ryder Cup following reports.
When asked about the European attitude towards the Ryder Cup, Woods replied: “It doesn’t matter, that’s their right to say it.
“If Europeans want to pay to play in the Ryder Cup, that’s their decision, it’s their team’s decision.
“I know once they get on European soil most of their tours are going to be subsidized, so that’s a big deal for a European tour. If they want to pay to do it, then so be it.”
