Brooklyn Beckham tees off in celebrity Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black amid family feud

Brooklyn Beckham participated in the Ryder Cup Celebrity Match at Bethpage Black on Wednesday, joining a field of 16 high-profile players from sports and entertainment in the traditional charity-style event held on the eve of the Ryder Cup. Beckham, the estranged eldest son of David and Victoria Beckham, teamed with former NBA star Toni Kukoc to take on comedian Colin Jost and NFL quarterback Eli Manning in a two-person scramble played over 11 holes.

Other celebrity pairings included American country star Miranda Lambert and former New York Giants standout Michael Strahan facing Catherine Zeta-Jones and Pau Gasol; country artist Kane Brown with Noah Kahan against English actors Tom Felton and Oliver Phelps; and tennis icon John McEnroe paired with chef Bobby Flay against NHL great Teemu Selanne and Spanish chef Jose Andres. The format awards one point per hole to the team with the lower score, with half-points if tied.

Beckham's appearance occurs amid a long-running family rift that has left him largely distant from his parents and siblings since Boxing Day last year. He has pursued work primarily in Los Angeles, including a Moncler advertising campaign with his wife Nicola, while public tributes to his brother Romeo went ahead without him. The Beckhams have reportedly not spoken in months, though organizers did not comment on the family matter.

As the celebrity event wraps, attention shifts to the official Ryder Cup competition, which begins on Friday with the first day of matches. President Donald Trump is slated to attend the opening day, prompting organizers to implement enhanced security measures. The event bans range finders from Bethpage Black, and a host of other items — portable chairs, torch-style lighters, large vaping devices, and laptops or tablets — may be inspected or restricted in the first-tee grandstand or clubhouse areas. Umbrellas may be restricted in certain sections, with ponchos strongly encouraged. Gates will now open at 5 a.m. to ease entry, and fans should expect delays as security checks are put in place ahead of the president's visit.

Once the Celebrity Match concludes, all focus will turn to the real Ryder Cup beginning Friday.