The 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black was always destined to be a spectacle, but few could have predicted just how electrifying—and contentious—the tournament would become. For nearly a century, the Ryder Cup has stood as golf’s ultimate collision of national pride, tradition, and rivalry. Yet, this year’s contest between Team Europe and Team USA offered more than just dramatic swings and clutch putts. It delivered a historic change in how players are compensated, a fierce atmosphere on and off the course, and a victory celebration for the ages.
Since its inception in 1927 as a friendly match between the United States and Great Britain, the Ryder Cup has been defined by honor and the thrill of representing one’s side. For decades, payment was never on the table—players competed for pride, not paychecks. But as the event morphed into a global sporting phenomenon, fueled by lucrative television deals and sponsorships, the question of compensation became impossible to ignore. By the 1980s, the Ryder Cup had transformed from a modest exhibition into a cash-generating machine, yet the players still didn’t see a dime.
The issue reached a boiling point in 1999, when golf icons Tiger Woods, Mark O’Meara, and David Duval openly questioned why the PGA of America reaped millions while players left empty-handed. After heated debates, the PGA compromised by allocating $200,000 in the name of each U.S. golfer to charity. This charitable donation became a Ryder Cup staple, even as the prize money for regular PGA Tour events soared. Across the Atlantic, Team Europe remained steadfast in its tradition: all profits went back into the European Tour, and players never received direct payments.
For a while, the arrangement seemed to work. American players supported causes close to their hearts, and the public largely forgot the earlier pay disputes. But the issue resurfaced in 2023 during the Ryder Cup in Rome. Patrick Cantlay’s decision to forgo his team hat was rumored to be a silent protest over the lack of direct pay, sparking a wave of speculation and a sea of European fans waving their caps in mockery. Cantlay denied the story, stating the hat simply didn’t fit, but the perception of discord within Team USA lingered. That same year, as negotiations intensified, Xander Schauffele’s camp became particularly vocal about the need for a fairer system. According to reports, the talks nearly broke down over participation agreements, forcing the PGA of America to reconsider its stance.
Fast forward to 2025, and the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black made history. For the first time, Team USA golfers received actual salaries: $500,000 each, with $300,000 earmarked for charity and $200,000 provided as a direct stipend. The move mirrored the Presidents Cup system, where American players also receive stipends alongside charitable contributions. Despite the change, many U.S. golfers—Scottie Scheffler, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, and Captain Keegan Bradley among them—publicly pledged to donate their stipends to charity. “I’d feel better using the money to help local organizations than pocketing it myself,” Schauffele noted, echoing the sentiment of many teammates. Scheffler and his wife planned to support programs in their Dallas community, while Cantlay mentioned youth foundations in Southern California. Captain Bradley went a step further, pledging his entire amount to charity.
Europe, however, remained resolutely opposed to personal payouts. Captain Luke Donald revealed he had asked his players about the idea during meetings in Rome the previous year, only to find unanimous rejection. “The Ryder Cup is about purpose and shared memories, not paychecks,” Donald emphasized. The European tradition of channeling profits back into its tour remains central to its identity, especially since the Ryder Cup revenue has historically kept the European Tour afloat. Rory McIlroy, one of the competition’s biggest stars, summed up the European spirit: “I would happily pay for the privilege of playing in the Ryder Cup.”
Yet, as the tournament unfolded, the tension wasn’t just about money. The atmosphere at Bethpage Black was electric—sometimes bordering on hostile. American fans, stung by their team’s early deficit, unleashed a barrage of personal insults and obscenities toward the European golfers. Irish star Rory McIlroy bore the brunt of the abuse, facing jeers, heckling, and even a beer can thrown at his wife, Erica, after Saturday’s round. Pictures circulated of McIlroy responding with a middle finger and heated words. “I don’t mind them having a go at us. That’s to be expected,” McIlroy said. “But just let us hit shots, and give us the same chance that the Americans have.”
The situation escalated to the point where police officers lined the tee boxes, and a PA announcer resigned after leading an offensive chant. Ryder Cup icon Tom Watson took to social media to apologize on behalf of American fans, writing, “I’d like to congratulate @RyderCupEurope on their victory. Your team play the first few days was sensational. More importantly, I’d like to apologize for the rude and mean-spirited behavior from our American crowd at Bethpage. As a former player, Captain and as an American, I am ashamed of what happened.”
Despite the hostility, Team Europe held firm. After dominating the first two days, they weathered a late American rally in the singles matches to clinch a 15-13 victory—the closest Ryder Cup contest since 2012. Shane Lowry’s birdie on the final hole sealed the win, sparking jubilant scenes on the 18th green. The Europeans embraced, then retreated to the locker room for celebrations that would become instant legend. They taunted U.S. President Donald Trump on social media, chanted “Are you watching, are you watching Donald Trump?” and received a congratulatory post in response: “Yes, I’m watching. Congratulations!”
On the bridge linking the 18th green to player facilities, McIlroy—always one for a bit of mischief—covered the American players’ names with a European flag, needling rival Bryson DeChambeau. The McIlroy-DeChambeau rivalry, already one of golf’s most intriguing, took center stage once more. Meanwhile, Lowry altered a ‘15’ printed on the walls to ‘16’ to reflect Europe’s new tally of Ryder Cup wins, exclaiming, “There we go, f*** them,” as his teammates howled with laughter.
As the sun set, the celebrations spilled onto the putting green with champagne showers. The team belted out fan-favorite chants: “Europe’s on fire, USA is terrified,” and a raucous version of Queen’s “We Are The Champions.” McIlroy, serenaded to the tune of the Cranberries’ “Zombie,” lifted the trophy high as his teammates cheered. The next morning, Lowry summed up the mood with a simple tweet: “I might have a hangover.”
For all the changes—new pay structures, heightened emotions, and a raucous crowd—the essence of the Ryder Cup endured: fierce competition, unforgettable moments, and a celebration of golf at its most passionate. Europe’s victory at Bethpage Black will be remembered not just for the scoreline, but for the spirit, controversy, and camaraderie that define this storied event. And as golf’s greatest rivalry continues to evolve, one thing remains clear—no amount of money can buy the magic of the Ryder Cup.
