Xander Schauffele weighs in on US Ryder Cup players receiving $500,000 for their services

Xander Schauffele has spoken out about the players on the American Ryder Cup team being paid for their services. The PGA of America recently announced that each player on the team will receive $500,000, a percentage of which will go to charity.

Schauffele gave an interview to the Associated Press in which he addressed the issue. The two-time major champion stated that this is an opportunity for him to "give more money away."

This was part of what Xander Schauffele said:

"I’m looking at it as an opportunity to give away more money. It’s never going to be perceived that way, just with how the media talks about stuff and how things shook down in Italy. It’s going to go to charity. I spoke to Keegan [Bradley] and he had a plan before, and that got blown up by the leak of the whole thing."

He added:

"Keegan had a plan to get all the boys to do something really nice. And now everyone is pointing fingers on how this thing has shaken down. Learning from the PGA Tour, we’re going to give back to the community however we can help, whether it’s the fire department or NYPD or you name it."

According to the PGA of America, the players will receive $300,000 for charity and $200,000 as a stipend. The issue has generated controversy in the golf world, with many personalities both for and against this decision.

---

Xander Schauffele's Ryder Cup career at a glance

Xander Schauffele has represented the United States in two editions of the Ryder Cup (2021, 2023), winning the first. He has contributed four out of a possible eight points to his team's cause.

In 2021, Schauffele teamed up with Patrick Cantlay to face Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter in the first day's foursomes. The Americans won 5 & 3. In the afternoon, Schauffele teamed with Dustin Johnson to play Paul Casey and Bernd Wiesberger in four-ball, with the Americans winning 2 & 1.

On Saturday, Schauffele played foursomes only. Again he teamed up with Cantlay, this time against Lee Westwood and Matt Fitzpatrick. The Americans won 2 & 1. On the final day, Schauffele lost his singles match to McIlroy 3 & 2.

The 2023 edition was much less fortunate for Schauffele. He and Patrick Cantlay were defeated by McIlroy and Fitzpatrick, 2 & 1, in the foursomes match on the first day. In the afternoon, Schauffele lost again to McIlroy and Fitzpatrick, this time teaming up with Collin Morikawa in the four-ball format.

On Saturday, the Schauffele/Cantlay duo took on Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, and again the Americans fell short. Xander Schauffele saved face by winning his singles match against Nicolai Hojgaard. The Americans lost the event 16.5 to 11.5.