Tiger Woods wants Ryder Cup team to get 5m dollars each and give it to charity

Tiger Woods hopes American golfers get five million dollars each to play in the Ryder Cup next September and give the money to charity.

Players have competed in the Ryder Cup for nearly a century without receiving appearance fees, but that could change for the 2025 contest at Bethpage Black in New York.

Multiple reports have suggested United States’ players will be paid as Keegan Bradley’s 12-strong team attempt to reclaim the cup currently in European hands, with each member receiving around $400,000 (£315,000) to tee it up in the biennial event.

Woods was part of the American team at the 1999 Ryder Cup at Brookline when appearance fees were discussed, and the 48-year-old says his stance on the matter has not changed.

“Going back to my playing days we had the same conversation back in 1999,” said Woods, speaking ahead of the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas where he is tournament host.

“We didn’t want to get paid. We wanted to give more money to charity (but) the media turned it round against us and said we wanted to get paid.

“The Ryder Cup makes so much money. Why can’t we allocate it to various charities?

“I hope they (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 get on to that team – there’s only 12 guys. What’s wrong with being able to allocate more funds?”

Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy said last month he would “pay to play” for Europe in the Ryder Cup.

The Northern Irishman was one of several European players who said they do not need financial rewards to compete against the Americans.

Asked what that says about the Europeans’ attitude towards the Ryder Cup, Woods said: “That’s fine, that’s their right