The Ryder Cup is about pride. When Team USA and Team Europe face off this weekend at Bethpage Black, the golfers will be seeking victory for national or continental bragging rights.
But there is money involved, too. Well, sort of, depending on which team you’re on.
The 12 Team USA golfers will each be paid $400,000 for taking part in the Ryder Cup.
The dozen golfers from Team Europe will not.
Instead, European captain Luke Donald has given the players each a Rolex watch, while also providing enough watches for caddies, wives and girlfriends, according to The Daily Mail.
Each watch has the Team Europe logo engraved on it, with the tournament’s date on the case, according to The Telegraph.
Rolex is a sponsor of the Ryder Cup.
According to The Daily Mail, Donald wore a particular Rolex in the team photo: “a Rolex Submariner Date with a blue dial and bezel on an Oystersteel and yellow gold bracelet.” That watch retails for $17,600.
Even a watch for each player’s caddie and significant other, too, only amounts to somewhere between $50-75K per player.
The Team USA players have also been given $300,000 to donate to a charity of their choice, and they also get a six-figure allowance to be used while they’re on hand for the tournament.
In the past, PGA of America only did the charitable donation portion. But now, they’ve opted to pay the players directly, too.
Team USA could certainly buy a few nice watches with their salaries.
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