DeChambeau says Trump can inspire U.S. to victory at Bethpage Black Ryder Cup
Trump to attend the first day of the Ryder Cup; DeChambeau and Team USA say his presence could energize the crowd
President Donald Trump will attend the first day of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black this weekend, a presence Bryson DeChambeau said could help spur the United States to victory. DeChambeau told reporters that the appearance could energize the crowd and create an electric atmosphere around the event as the U.S. squad aims to perform on home soil.
Team USA captain Keegan Bradley and fellow players, including Scottie Scheffler, welcomed Trump’s planned attendance. Bradley noted that Trump will be on the first tee, with the opening tee shot scheduled for 7:10 a.m. ET on the competition’s opening day. The Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black is coming into focus as one of the marquee sports events in the New York metropolitan area this month, with Trump already appearing at other high-profile gatherings nearby.
The Ryder Cup will be the third major public appearance by Trump in the New York area since early September. He attended the men’s U.S. Open final on Sept. 7 and then a New York Yankees game against the Detroit Tigers four days later, the day marking the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. DeChambeau’s additional ties to Trump extend beyond this week’s event; the golfer has previously featured Trump in a widely viewed video and has benefited from a public association that Trump has acknowledged publicly. In a separate note, Trump invited DeChambeau on stage during the former president’s victory speech last November.
The dynamic within the U.S. team reflects a broader discussion about athletics and public figures in the stands. As Team USA focuses on competition, Bradley reiterated the team’s intent to treat the Ryder Cup as a pure sporting event, while DeChambeau emphasized the potential motivational impact of the president’s presence for fans and players alike. The Bethpage Green course awaits a crowd that could be energized by the pairing of a major political figure with the sport’s best players, underscoring the Ryder Cup’s status as a global stage for golf and national pride.
As the competition unfolds, the team’s leadership and roster remain the focal point for fans watching how Trump’s presence could influence energy around the matches. DeChambeau, who has previously engaged with Trump in entertainment projects, frames the moment as a chance to rally supporters and drive excitement around a Ryder Cup that will test the world’s best golfers on U.S. soil.
