Revealed: Here's how Team USA money is being distributed at 2025 Ryder Cup

It's one of the biggest controversies to rock the 2025 Ryder Cup - and all before a ball has even been struck at Bethpage. 

Keegan Bradley and his 12 players on Team USA are each being paid for competing in this week's biennial dust-up against Europe in New York. 

It marks the first time in history that players are being paid to compete at the Ryder Cup. 

"We wanted to bring the Ryder Cup into today’s age and we felt like this was the best way to do it," said Bradley during his Monday press conference.

Luke Donald and his 12 troops on Team Europe, however, are not being paid a euro - all out of choice for the love and history of the Ryder Cup. 

How much are Team USA members being paid at the Ryder Cup?

The PGA of America has confirmed Bradley and his 12 players on Team USA are each being paid $500,000 at the 2025 Ryder Cup.

Bradley's players have been asked to donate at least $300,000 of their total prize money to a charity of their choice.

The remaining $200,000 is then considered a stipend.

Captain Bradley confirmed during his Monday press conference that he will donate his entire $500,000 to charity. 

But whether all of his players follow suit remains to be seen. 

Some might, some might not - and Bradley thinks it's down to them. 

"I think that's a personal decision," he said. 

"I don't donate to charities to publicize what we're doing. 

"These guys on our team are incredible people, and they do a lot of incredible things with charity dollars and with their foundations. 

"A lot of them aren't comfortable sharing that sort of information, and I feel the same way."

Xander Schauffele told The Associated Press’ Doug Ferguson at the end of last season: "I just see it as a whole lot of money going to charity, and we’re going to take a lot of crap."

European players do not get paid - instead money goes into grassroots golf

Donald's defending champions will once again not be paid a single euro for competing in the Ryder Cup - and that's how it's always been. 

Last year when the issue of money became the talk of Rome as a certain cap-less Cantlay caused controversy, Rory McIlroy claimed he would even "pay for the privilege to play" in the Ryder Cup. 

Everyone else on Team Europe agreed. 

Although the European team does not get paid, the Ryder Cup itself generates huge profit and the money raised is used to support the European Tour Group and grassroots golf instead of going into player pockets.

The Ryder Cup is jointly administered by the PGA of America for the Americans and Ryder Cup Europe for the Europeans. 

Donald has since defended Europe's decision to refuse being paid at the Ryder Cup. 

"It's not a week to be paid," Donald declared in a Sky interview. 

Only Bradley could not care less. 

He is solely focused on helping USA win a third straight Ryder Cup on home soil. 

"Well, I'm not concerned about what Europe does or what they think. I'm concerned about what my team is doing. I was tasked with a job the PGA of America asked me to do, and this was what we decided.

"We wanted to bring the Ryder Cup into today's age, and we felt like this was the best way to do it. We copied a lot of what the Presidents Cup does. We did the best we could, and I think a lot of good is going to come from this. I think the players are going to do a lot of good with this money, and I think it's great.

"I think for everyone it's a personal decision. A lot of guys aren't comfortable sharing what they're going to do with their money, but we're going to donate."

Former winning European Ryder Cup captain and golf analyst Paul McGinley firmly believes Europe have the "moral high ground" on the eve of the 2025 Ryder Cup. 

Donald is attempting to become the first captain since Tony Jacklin 1989 to win back-to-back Ryder Cups.