Team USA Gets Paid, Rory Roasts Bryson: Ryder Cup Drama Unfolds

The 2025 Ryder Cup hasn’t even teed off, but the drama is already swirling. This year’s clash at Bethpage Black in New York is shaping up to be more than just a test of golf — it’s also about money, pride, and personality. Two stories are stealing the spotlight: Team USA’s new paycheck policy and the latest round of Rory McIlroy vs. Bryson DeChambeau fireworks.

Team USA Gets Paid for the First Time

Traditionally, the Ryder Cup has been all about honor, not money. But in 2025, the U.S. squad will receive roughly $500,000 each — half going into their own pockets and half directed to charity.

Europeans aren’t impressed. Media across the pond immediately scoffed: “Is this still the spirit of the Ryder Cup?” After all, European players still compete purely for pride, without appearance fees.

U.S. captain Keegan Bradley tried to calm the storm, insisting the payments are simply “a way of taking care of the players” and won’t diminish the team’s honor. Still, the paycheck debate is easily one of the hottest topics heading into the matches.

Rory McIlroy shakes hands with Bryson DeChambeau during the final round of the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club

McIlroy vs. DeChambeau: Sparks Fly Again

The other headline belongs to the ongoing rivalry between Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau. Rory didn’t hold back in a recent

interview, throwing shade at Bryson:

“I think the only way he gets attention is by mentioning other people. Basically, if he wants attention, he’ll name me or Scottie [Scheffler].”

(Source: Sports Illustrated)

Media quickly picked it up as “Rory taking direct aim at Bryson.” Their frosty relationship is nothing new — the two have clashed before over playing styles and personalities. Fans are joking: “The Ryder Cup hasn’t even started, but Rory’s already 1 up in the trash-talk game.”

Bethpage Black: The Pressure Cooker

Bethpage Black isn’t just a course; it’s a beast. The entrance even carries a giant warning sign:

“The Black Course is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers.”

With narrow fairways, thick rough, and rowdy New York crowds, the Ryder Cup here will feel like a test of both stamina and nerves. Former U.S. captain Paul Azinger even called hosting the Cup here a “huge mistake,” arguing that Europeans might actually benefit more from its brutal setup than the Americans.

The 2025 Ryder Cup promises to be more than a battle of birdies and bogeys. With Team USA’s paycheck drama and McIlroy vs. DeChambeau’s personal feud, the build-up has become a spectacle of its own. By the time September 26 rolls around, Bethpage Black won’t just be about golf swings — it’ll be about pride, pressure, and plenty of fireworks.