Presidents Cup teams reportedly received $250,000 stipend for playing, for use as they please

Members of the Presidents Cup teams were given a $250,000 stipend to use during the event. With 24 top golfers all traveling to Montreal for a week, the PGA Tour opted to give them a little bit of spending money for their appearance with their teams which they could use throughout the week.

The Tour said in a statement via Golfweek:

“As part of the Tour’s overall total compensation program, distributions for the Presidents Cup have been adjusted to reflect the changing landscape of charitable giving, allowing players and captains the flexibility to support their respective foundations or personal charitable priorities."

This is a stark departure from the Cups of the past. The golfers who played were not paid for their appearances, but each one could have an allocated portion of their funds generated go to a charity of their choice.

Before 2022, everyone involved received $150,000 to give to charity. After 2022, players began receiving $250,000 that they don't have to disclose what they use it for.

Per a report from Golfweek, this decision was made to alleviate the burden on the PGA Tour to line up travel, lodging, and more for all the coaches, trainers, family members, and golfers themselves. This puts it back in the hands of the players, but the total price has expanded to $250,000. That's what players made for placing in the top 10 at the Zozo Championship last week.

This may change things for the Ryder Cup. There was a lot of conversation about last year's alleged payment protests, though Patrick Cantlay said his hat issue wasn't about money.

At the Cup, Xander Schauffele was also asked about that:

“That question is a bit of a grenade, to be honest. I think there’s no place for a player to talk about prize money in this sort of event. That’s for other people to decide. Our preference is our preference."

He added that golfers are "happy to play amongst each other" and represent their countries at the event.

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PGA Tour doubles down on charitable mission of Presidents Cup

The Presidents Cup no longer mandates charitable giving (Imagn)

Golfers are no longer required to donate to charity after the Presidents Cup. What was previously a mandate is now up to the players, though most of them said beforehand that they were still going to donate to charity anyway.

The Tour said via Golfweek:

“The charitable mission of the Presidents Cup remains unchanged."

Matt Rapp, the Tour’s Senior Vice President of Championship Management, added:

“The current charitable distribution plan guarantees a lasting impact in the host city or region of at least $1 million."

In 2022, the Presidents Cup totaled $2 million in charitable contributions, mostly donated to local Charlotte-area charities. Despite the change in policy, everyone involved maintains a commitment to charitable giving from this year and into the future.