Europe's Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald has taken aim at the United States' decision to pay players for participating at this week's event, saying the tournament is about pride, not prize money.

The USA have traditionally given each of their Ryder Cup players $200,000 for a charity of their choice, but that has changed for the 2025 edition.

Each of the 12 players in Keegan Bradley's team will now receive $300,000 for charity and a further $200,000 personal stipend, to be used however they see fit.

That change has proven controversial, with Europe's players telling Donald they did not wish to be paid for their participation.

And at Wednesday's opening ceremony at Bethpage, New York, Donald used his captain's speech to outline what the Ryder Cup means to Europe's players.

"The Ryder Cup means so much to each and every one of us," Donald said. "It is unlike anything else in our sport. It is not about prize money or world ranking points.

"It's about pride. It's about representing your flag, your shirts, and the legacy you leave behind. 

"We play for our families, our team-mates, our countries, our continent, and for the generations before us who made this event what it is today."

Donald has won every single Ryder Cup he has featured in as a player (2004, 2006, 2010 and 2012) or as a captain (2023). 

As a player, he collected 10.5 points out of a possible 15 (70%), the best scoring ratio among any European to have taken part in at least three Ryder Cups.

Having overseen a home victory in Rome two years ago, Donald is the first European to repeat the captaincy since Bernard Gallacher did so in 1991, 1993 and 1995.

Donald's counterpart Bradley was keen to focus on the USA's attempts to reclaim the Ryder Cup, with each of the last five editions being won by the home team.

"Bethpage Black is known as the People's Country Club, it's been called New York's home course, but this week – with your passion and energy – you are going to make it America's home course," Bradley told fans.

"We are on a quest to reclaim the Ryder Cup. We face a mighty opponent, the challenge will be fierce, the pressure will be real."