Overview

• The PGA of America will award $500,000 to each U.S. player and captain, directing $300,000 to charity and providing a $200,000 personal stipend, a shift from the prior charity-only arrangement in place since 1999.
• European captain Luke Donald said his 12 players agreed this is not a week to get paid, confirming Europe will forgo personal payments.
• U.S. captain Keegan Bradley defended the policy as bringing the event into the present day and said he will donate his entire $500,000, while declining to reveal other players’ plans.
• Former U.S. captain Tom Watson criticized paying players, adding to scrutiny of the optics as Ryder Cup week begins at Bethpage Black.
• Practice notes: the U.S. ran defined pairings in Monday’s session at Bethpage, while Europe skipped the day after an earlier scouting visit and donned polos nodding to past away victories.