Controversial Ryder Cup Rule Change Impacts Only Team USA But Not Europe

This year's Ryder Cup will see the introduction of a rule around fees for participants that Team USA will benefit from but the stars of Europe will not be so lucky.

The American players will be given $300,000 to donate to a charity of their choice for competing at the prestigious event.

Their golfers will also be given $200,000 each to spend in whichever way they see fit.

The change was announced last December, with the previous system seeing each player receive $200,000 for a charitable donation.

However, the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood will not stand to earn the fee this time round.

Europe’s players do not receive any money for taking part in the iconic event.

Golf legend Dame Laura Davies said Americans won't care about the pay increase if Team USA wins in an interview with Sky Sports.

Andrew Coltart played for Team Europe in a previous Ryder Cup. (Image: Getty)

"I don't think they [American fans] will care unless they [Team USA] start losing," she said.

"If they start losing, then they'll start talking about how much you're getting paid for this and this and the other. That could backfire.

"That would be the ultimate, wouldn't it, if that actually backfired on them. I know not all of them [American players] want money but a few of them obviously did, otherwise it wouldn't have happened.

"I don't understand it [getting paid for the Ryder Cup]. It's ludicrous, really!"

Andrew Coltart was a member of Europe's team during the 1999 Ryder Cup and told Sky Sports that he was surprised by the move.

"I get the idea for charity, that's nice, but what's the other £200,000 for?" he said.

"These guys are multi-millionaires. I'm just surprised.

Rory McIlroy won't benefit after a rule change for this year's tournament. (Image: Getty)

"It's an absolute honour and a privilege to play for your continent and, as a kid, that is something that you dream of doing. Because you dream of doing that, it becomes a privilege, so you shouldn't want to be paid for it.

"The European side want to do it [play in the Ryder Cup] for the pure pride of wearing the badge. There's nothing to gain from that [payment]. You're creating an opportunity to be distracted, an opportunity for somebody to have a go at it.

"That potentially is a mistake. It was something that the European team will try and draw on, try and exploit and it's something that the European press will try and exploit."