Trump‘s Presence Anticipated as Ryder Cup Returns to Bethpage Black
FARMINGDALE, NY - The 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black is set to be a high-stakes contest on the course, but the presence of former President Donald Trump looms large, sparking anticipation and a degree of uncertainty as the competition approaches. US captain Keegan Bradley has publicly welcomed Trump’s expected attendance,predicting a memorable atmosphere at the frist tee. “I’m just thrilled he’s going to be here. I really look forward to what that first tee is going to be like with the president on the tee. It’s going to be something everyone will remember forever,” Bradley stated.
The Ryder Cup has a history of intense atmospheres, sometimes crossing the line into unsportsmanlike conduct. The 1999 event at Brookline remains particularly infamous, marked by disruptive celebrations after Justin Leonard’s putt on the 17th, and incidents of abuse directed at European players and their families. During that competition,one European player’s wife was spat at,and the father of another player left the course due to the level of hostility. The US team’s premature celebration on the 17th green prevented josé María Olazábal from completing his final putt. Alistair Cooke of the BBC described the day as one that would “go down in infamy,” and it was widely considered one of the most regrettable days in Ryder Cup history, despite setting a TV ratings record that lasted 13 years.
The contrast between the origins of Bethpage Black and the modern spectacle is also notable. Constructed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt‘s Works Progress Administration during the New Deal, the course was intended to democratize golf, opening the game “to a new kind of average golfer.” Roosevelt, a keen golfer himself, also designed courses accessible to those recovering from polio, prioritizing inclusivity and accessibility.
World number one Scottie Scheffler offered a measured assessment of Trump, stating he ”does such a good job of feeding confidence into everybody around him…he treats everybody the same and treats people with the utmost respect.”
