Golf: Charities to benefit from Ryder Cup profits

Europe’s Ryder Cup team is going to be given a percentage of the profits from this month’s match at The Belfry to donate to charity.

This follows the row between United States players and the Professional Golfers’ Association of America prior to the 1999 match in Boston.

That ended with Ben Crenshaw’s side being awarded $200,000 each, half for a charity of each player’s choice and half for a university of their choice to support development of the game.

The amount going to Sam Torrance’s team was not disclosed today, but Ken Schofield, executive director of the European Tour, stated that the money had been agreed in principal.

‘‘It has been introduced as a result of the debate the PGA of America had,’’ he said. ‘‘But this is certainly not a demand (from the players).

‘‘Fortunately we make more surpluses now and we are very optimistic we will have record surpluses this time.’’

He added that the initial surplus expected is in the region of £10m.