(Reuters) - U.S. Ryder Cup players will be paid to play in the biennial match play competition for the first time starting with next year's edition at Bethpage Black, the PGA of America said on Monday.
According to the PGA of America, the U.S. team's 12 players and their captain will each get $500,000, with $300,000 of that total directed to charity and the remaining balance of $200,000 serving as a stipend.
The pay is an increase from the $200,000 that was designated only for charity and has been in place since 1999.
The PGA of America said no golfers asked to be compensated and credited past and present players and captains for making the Ryder Cup one of the top sporting events in the world.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
