Trump to Attend Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, Presence Expected to be Felt
President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend the 45th Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York, beginning Friday. His visit is anticipated to be a significant element of the event,known for its partisan atmosphere.
Three weeks prior, Trump’s attendance at the U.S. Open men’s tennis final caused a 30-minute delay to the match between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner due to extensive security lines. Many fans arrived at their seats over an hour after the scheduled start time.
The Ryder Cup is expected to draw a similar level of keen support for Trump. During Wednesday’s opening ceremony, acknowledgements of New York Governor Kathy Hochul (a Democrat) were met with boos from a portion of the crowd.
Organizers are planning for Trump to initially view the competition from a first-row seat in the grandstand as the afternoon’s four matches begin. His full itinerary remains unclear, including where he plans to watch play after the initial tee shots and the duration of his stay. The White House has declined to provide specifics, citing security concerns.
European player Justin Rose indicated on Wednesday that, “by all accounts,” Trump will not be “necessarily on the tee box with us or roaming the course.”
trump has a long-standing relationship with professional golf, encompassing hosting PGA Tour and LIV Golf events at his resorts, playing rounds with prominent golfers like Tiger Woods and Rory mcilroy, and appearing in media with players like bryson DeChambeau. He previously held hosting duties for the 2022 PGA Championship at Trump Bedminster, but the event was moved to Southern Hills following the January 6, 2021 events. The PGA of America, which runs the Ryder Cup, also organized that major championship.
Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1-ranked player, revealed this week that trump occasionally contacts him via call or text after tournament victories. Scheffler stated, “I don’t think he has any plans to address us as a team, but I’m sure if things go well, we’ll hear from him this week.”
American captain Keegan Bradley expressed confidence that Trump’s presence would not be a distraction, stating, “Anytime you can be around a current president is a pretty phenomenal thing…having the president there to support you is something that is just absolutely incredible. I’m realy grateful to him for doing that for us.”
Trump recently presented the Club World Cup to Chelsea at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in June. He is not expected to participate in the Ryder Cup presentation ceremony on Sunday.
