Tiger Woods Suggests $5 Million Charity Donation for US Ryder Cup Players

Golf icon Tiger Woods, who has secured 15 major titles—a number surpassed only by Jack Nicklaus’s 18—has put forward a proposal that each American participant in the Ryder Cup should be allocated $5 million (£3.9 million) and subsequently contribute these funds to charitable organizations. This proposal follows reports from last month indicating that the 12 American golfers participating in the 45th edition of the biennial competition against Europe, scheduled for next year at Bethpage Black in New York, are each set to receive $400,000. Throughout the Ryder Cup’s 97-year existence, competitors have historically not been compensated for representing their national or continental teams. Woods stated, “We had the same conversation back in 1999.” He elaborated, “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.” He further questioned, “The Ryder Cup makes so much money, why can’t we allocate it to various charities?” Woods expressed his hope, saying, “I hope they [USA’s players] get five million dollars each and donate it all to different charities. I think that’s great. What’s wrong with that?” He emphasized the exclusivity of the team, stating, “It’s so hard to get on to that team – there are only 12 guys. What’s wrong with being able to allocate more funds?” In light of these reports, four-time major champion Rory McIlroy commented that he would “pay to play” for Europe in the Ryder Cup. When questioned about what this indicated regarding the European players’ perspective on the Ryder Cup, Woods responded, “That’s fine, that’s their right to say.” He continued, “If the Europeans want to pay to be in the Ryder Cup then that’s their decision, that’s their team.” Woods acknowledged the event’s significance for Europe, stating, “I know once on European soil it subsidises most of their tour, so it is a big event for the European tour. If they want to pay to be in it, so be it.” Woods affirmed that the “fire still burns to compete” within him, though he continues to be sidelined by injury as 2025 approaches. The 15-time major champion has been inactive since The Open in July, an event where he missed the cut for the third major in a row. Despite the 48-year-old American having been plagued by injuries over the past several years, he maintains his focus on making a competitive comeback. Woods commented, “I’m not tournament sharp yet, I’m still not there.” He added, “When I’m ready to compete and play at [the top] level, then I will.” He reiterated, “The fire still burns to compete. The difference is the recovery of the body to do it is not what it used to be.” Woods’ latest health setback stems from back problems that have extended, resulting in pain in his legs. In September, Woods underwent his sixth back surgery, occurring two months after his most recent appearance at Royal Troon. Speaking at the Hero World Challenge event he hosts in the Bahamas this week, Woods further commented, “I didn’t think my back was going to go like it did this year.” He explained, “It was quite painful throughout the end of the year, and hence I had another procedure done to it to alleviate the pain I had going down my leg.” Woods concluded, “I feel like I’m getting stronger, I’m getting more pliable, but I’ve got a long way to go to be able to compete against these guys.”