President Donald Trump tees off during the opening ceremony of the Trump International Golf Links course near Aberdeen, Scotland, July 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) FARMINGDALE, NY (AP) — Four years ago, Trump was considered persona non grata in the world of professional golf, barred from the sport he loves after the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The PGA of America pulled his chance to host its major championship, and officials in his hometown of New York tried to divest his venture at the golf course he had contracted to manage.
This Friday, Trump will be the center of attention at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, being welcomed on the first day of competition by those who previously shunned him. The Ryder Cup is organized by the PGA of America, the same organization that moved its 2022 PGA Championship from its Bedminster, New Jersey, course. American captain Keegan Bradley said he was “deeply honored” that Trump was there to cheer on his team. European captain Luke Donald said the president’s presence “shows how big the Ryder Cup is,” calling it a “sign of respect,” even if he supports the other side.
Trump, a Republican, will be the first sitting US president to attend this biennial US-Europe clash in nearly 100 years of history.
Expectations and security
During his first term, Trump made an appearance on the final day of the 2017 Presidents Cup at Liberty National in New Jersey. His visit, scheduled for the morning or afternoon when the tournament is in full swing, will involve additional security screening in the areas where he is expected to be, near the clubhouse and the first tee, as well as restrictions on what fans can carry. Rangefinders, laptops, and tablets will not be permitted.
Justin Rose, a solid European player, anticipated that there will be even more excitement on the first tee, already known for its lively atmosphere, when Trump is present. “Obviously, he will bring a lot of attention and patriotism to the event,” Rose commented. “It’s great for golf that he’s involved in the game, and of course, he brings a lot of eyes with him.” However, both the players and captains from the U.S. and Europe assure us that Trump’s presence will not distract them from their main mission: beating the other team.
Rose even joked that Trump is invited to return on Sunday and congratulate the European team, should the visitors win.
A remarkable change
For Trump, a passionate golfer, his trip to the Ryder Cup symbolizes a remarkable shift in his relationship with the sport, as well as in the sport's relationship with him. Next year, the Blue Monster course at his Doral resort, near Miami, will return to the PGA Tour schedule for the first time in a decade. Additionally, Trump's courses in Scotland and Ireland have hosted or are scheduled to host European Tour events.
Since returning to the office in January, he has hosted Tiger Woods, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, and the head of Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund in an unsuccessful attempt to resolve the rift between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. Three Trump-owned courses have hosted LIV events.
“I'm deeply honored that the President of the United States is coming to support our team at the Ryder Cup,” Bradley said. “I think being around a current president is phenomenal, but representing your country at a place like Bethpage Black in New York, with the president there supporting you, is absolutely incredible. I'm very grateful for that.”
The feeling appears to be mutual. In a post on Truth Social last month announcing his visit to the tournament, Trump praised Bradley as “an AMAZING guy” and claimed that “it’s going to be a great Ryder Cup.” Trump also has a good relationship with several American players, including Sam Burns, Bryson DeChambeau, and the top-ranked Scottie Scheffler. Last year, Trump appeared on DeChambeau’s YouTube series “Can I Break 50?”, which garnered more than 16 million views. Scheffler, who has also played golf with Trump, said he sometimes receives a congratulatory call or text from him after a win.
“He just loves the game of golf, and he's one of those guys who, when you're around him, does a great job of building confidence in everyone around him,” Scheffler said.
Trump has been attending major sporting events, appearing at the Club World Cup final in New Jersey in July, the US Open men's final in Queens in September, and addressing the New York Yankees at their clubhouse before a game in the Bronx on September 11. He has also attended several UFC fights and plans to host one at the White House next year. Now he's headed to the heart of Long Island, where he won both boroughs in last year's election.
Already this week, several “Make America Great Again” hats have been spotted in the crowd during Ryder Cup practice rounds.
However, like the European team, politicians are not exempt from boos. New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, was booed when she was introduced at Wednesday's opening ceremony. "I'm really looking forward to seeing what that first tee will be like with the president there," Bradley said. "I think this first tee at Bethpage will be a memorable sporting event in any sport, and by adding the president of the United States there, I truly believe it will be something everyone will remember forever."
