Ryder Cup Tees Off With Money, Pride, and Trump in Focus

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — The Ryder Cup tees off Friday with a plethora of off-course issues dominating the discourse around the biennial U.S. vs. Europe team golf event.

With the U.S. a slight betting favorite to emerge victorious at Bethpage Black Golf Course, the European team continues to lean in to American players getting paid $200,000 stipends as motivation to fuel an upset.

“The Ryder Cup means so much to each and every one of us. It is unlike anything else in our sport. It is not about prize money or world ranking points,” European captain Luke Donald said at Wednesday’s opening ceremony. “It’s about pride. It’s about representing your flag, your shirts, and the legacy you leave behind.”

Earlier in the week, U.S. captain Keegan Bradley and top qualifier Scottie Scheffler were among the American team members pushing back against criticism for being paid, and noting their money would go to charity. “I think it’s a really cool thing that the PGA of America has empowered us to do,” Scheffler said.

Trump Time

As of Thursday afternoon, specific details of President Donald Trump’s planned visit for Friday’s opening round remained unclear, other than Ryder Cup officials telling fans to expect “enhanced security” throughout the day.

Many members of the U.S. team have expressed excitement about Trump attending, something Bryson DeChambeau echoed during his interview session Thursday. “I hope he will inspire us to victory,” DeChambeau said. “I think he’ll be a great force for us to get a lot of people on our side. I think it will be interesting and exciting to see how the crowd and everybody reacts. It’s going to be an electric environment.”

Europe’s Tyrrell Hatton is ready for the increased spotlight the president will bring, too. “Trump loves golf, so it’s not really a surprise that he wants to be here and enjoy the atmosphere,” he said Thursday. “So yeah, it will be a good day, and I think everyone out there tomorrow will enjoy the atmosphere in one way or another. And I don’t see anything wrong with wanting to be a part of it.”

Home Game Environment

Trump’s presence Friday will add to what’s already expected to be a raucous crowd of 50,000 fans per day over the weekend. 

Potential hostility from New York sports fans on-site was a major topic all week for both teams. 

As of Thursday, Rory McIlroy was still sorting out how he planned to deal with the chaotic scene. “I feel at times in the Ryder Cup, I have engaged too much with the crowd,” he said. “But then there’s times where I haven’t engaged enough. So it’s really just trying to find the balance of using that energy from the crowd to fuel your performance.”