"We are fuelled by something money cannot buy” Donald reminds New York crowd of pay for play controversy as Bradley gets Justins mixed up
Keegan Bradley speaks on stage during the Opening Ceremony before the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/PGA of America)
Luke Donald mentioned money not once but twice as the controversy over the decision to pay the Americans to play in the Ryder Cup for the first time continued into the Opening Ceremony at Bethpage Black.
Donald didn’t refer directly to the $500,000 stipend — $300,000 for charity and $200,000 the players can do with what they will.
But he pointedly mentioned money during his speech in front of a partisan crowd in a ceremony brought forward 24 hours due to tomorrow’s poor weather forecast.
“We come to you this week, not just as individual players from nine different nations, but as one team, a team defined by history, by unity and by belief that we are playing for something far greater than ourselves,” Donald said.
Keegan Bradley speaks on stage during the Opening Ceremony before the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/PGA of America)
“The Ryder Cup means so much to each and every one of us. It is unlike anything else in our sport.
“It is not about prize money or world ranking points. It's about pride.”
While the US players are donating all their stipend to charity, Europe appears keen to poke a perceived psychological advantage.
“We know it won't be easy,” Donald said. “Winning away never is. Only four European teams have done it before, but that's the beauty of sport. “The toughest roads lead to the greatest rewards. We are fuelled by something money cannot buy — purpose, brotherhood and a responsibility to honour those who came before us, while inspiring those whose time is yet to come.”
Keegan Bradley drew chuckles from the 12 European players when he recalled how he sat on his dad’s shoulders as a 13-year-old at Brookline in 1999 and watched “Justin Rose”, rather than Justin Leonard, hole what proved to be the winning putt.
Donald had to put up with some mild jeering but made sure to say that he hoped his team would give New Yorkers something to cheer.
“New York is a place where, if you show up with talent and a fighting spirit, the city will get behind you, although maybe not if you're wearing European blue this week,” he said. “We know what awaits us.
“Bethpage isn't exactly shy. This is New York sports, country, passionate, loyal and ferociously loud and rightly so.
“You, the fans here, respect effort over ego. You show up for those who grind, for those who fight and for those who rise for the big occasions.”
Unsurprisingly, Bradley played to the New York crowd and reminded them of Brookline.
"I was 13 years old, perched on my dad's shoulders, watching Justin Rose's miracle putt drop on 17.
"When the crowd erupted on 18, my dad let me join in on the celebration. That was the moment golf stopped being a game and started being a calling.
"That day changed my life.”
He added: “We know the atmosphere this weekend will be electric, raucous and, yes, respectful. That's part of what makes the Ryder Cup so special on both sides of the pond. “I've never forgotten what it felt like to run onto that green in Brookline, watching a team come together in a way that changed my life.
“The moment lit a fire, and this week, that same Ryder Cup fire will fuel our team will drive us through every match, every moment and every challenge.
“It's the fire that lives in every boy or girl with an impossible dream, and it's the fire that makes the Ryder Cup unlike anything else in sports.
“Over the next three days, we'll play with heart, we'll play with honour, and we'll play with every dream sparked by the fire of this competition, because the Ryder Cup doesn't just test skill, it reveals soul. We are on a quest to reclaim the Ryder Cup.”
