Rory McIlroy has taken aim at American golfers after their potential Ryder Cup fees were revealed.

Players appearing for Team USA at next year’s event are set to be paid for the first time, according to the Daily Telegraph.

They are close to agreeing a deal to receive $400,000 (£315,000) each.

Meanwhile, Team Europe’s players will continue to appear for free.

McIlroy has hit out at the news, though, telling BBC Sport: “I personally would pay for the privilege to play on the Ryder Cup.

“The two purest forms of competition in golf are the Ryder Cup and Olympics, and it’s partly because of the purity of no money being involved.

“I don’t think any of the 24 players on either team needs that 400 grand. Every two years, there are 104 weeks and 103 weeks you can play golf and get paid.”

The 45th Ryder Cup will be held in September 2025 at the Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York.

Team Europe will compete as the defending champions after their win at Marco Simone last year.

McIlroy was part of that winning team as he claimed his fifth victory from seven Ryder Cup appearances.

The Northern Irishman has picked up a total of 18 points across his matches at the event.

He was also involved in a row which boiled over as the Americans were thrashed in Rome.

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Reports emerged that Patrick Cantlay refused to wear a Team USA hat due to a lack of compensation for players.

His stance was widely mocked with supporters waving their caps and chanting ‘hats off for your bank account’.

And it led to scenes which followed Cantlay and Wyndham Clark’s victory over Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick on day two where an annoyed McIlroy took issue with the Americans over the wild celebrations of caddie Joe LaCava in a car park.

He is currently in action this weekend as well at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

McIlroy is tied for the lead with Tyrell Hatton after the opening round.

The pair are level on five under par through 18 holes at the end of play on Thursday.

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They are set to tee of together at 12.45pm on Friday for their second round.

This weekend’s tournament concludes the 2024 DP World Tour season, with McIlroy set to win the Race To Dubai.