Trump Visit Adds Political Theater to Ryder Cup’s Opening Day

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — President Donald Trump’s much-anticipated visit to the Ryder Cup mostly played out smoothly Friday.

With enhanced security measures in place at Bethpage Black Golf Course, Trump arrived late in the morning, after Europe won the opening session by a 3-to-1 margin over the U.S. Wearing golf shoes and accompanied by his granddaughter Kai (who is a rising freshman on Miami’s women’s golf team and has an NIL deal with TaylorMade), Trump walked out to the first tee area just after noon ET, roughly 20 minutes before the first match of the afternoon session.

The crowd at the 5,000-seat stadium surrounding the first tee and 18th green welcomed Trump mostly with cheers and “USA” chants, followed by a few “Olé, Olé, Olé” chants from European fans. A rendition of the national anthem was performed with a jet flyover.

Initially, Trump sat inside a bulletproof plexiglass enclosure, but when Bryson DeChambeau arrived to play in the second match, the president ventured outside the safe space and stood on the first tee as that group hit drives. DeChambeau has golfed with Trump on his YouTube channel, and in July, the golfer was appointed chairman of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.

Many members of both the U.S.and Europe teams greeted and shook hands with Trump. PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague and president Don Rea also made an appearance on the first tee to speak with Trump.

Special Proceedings

Early Friday morning before fans arrived, the Secret Service built a perimeter around the grandstand area that Trump visited, requiring fans and workers to pass through TSA-style checkpoints. Those lines moved fairly swiftly, especially after the initial wave of attendees passed through. While Trump was on-site, Secret Service snipers were placed near the top of the grandstands, and there was a section reserved for the White House press pool. 

Some attendees did report experiencing heavy traffic outside Bethpage on Friday morning that could be attributed to Trump’s presence, but his visit did not delay any Ryder Cup action like what happened last month at the US Open. Seats around the first tee were full for both the morning and afternoon waves.