TIGER WOODS has called for Team USA’s Ryder Cup stars to be paid £4MILLION each.
PGA of America chiefs are set to break a 98-year tradition next September in New York by giving players a cheque for the first time ever.
Team USA stars are set to pocket £315,000 each in 2025 for their efforts at biennial event.
But Woods insists they should be paid almost THIRTEEN TIMES more – but give all the cash to charity.
The eight-time Ryder Cup winner said: “We had the same conversation back in 1999.
“We didn’t want to get paid. We wanted to give more money to charity.
“But the media turned it round against us and said we wanted to get paid.
“The Ryder Cup makes so much money, why can’t we allocate it to various charities?
“What’s wrong with each of the 12 players getting a million dollars and giving it out to amazing charities that they’re involved in, that they can help out.
“Whether it’s their home towns where they’re from, all the different junior golf associations or endeavours that the members are involved in.
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“I hope they get $5m [£4m] each and donate it all to different charities. I think that’s great. What’s wrong with that?”
On the other hand, Team Europe star Rory McIlroy revealed he would happily “pay to play” in the Ryder Cup and there is no suggestions Luke Donald’s men are going to pocket cheques when defending their crown next year.
Woods has not played since The Open in July, but he remains hopeful of getting back out onto the course.
He said: “I’m not tournament sharp yet, I’m still not there.
“When I’m ready to compete and play at [the top] level, then I will.
“The fire still burns to compete. The difference is the recovery of the body to do it is not what it used to be.
“I didn’t think my back was going to go like it did this year.
“It was quite painful throughout the end of the year and hence I had another procedure done to it to alleviate the pain I had going down my leg.
“I feel like I’m getting stronger, I’m getting more pliable, but I’ve got a long way to go to be able to compete against these guys.”
