Inside Donald Trump's Ryder Cup plans amid concern president's attendance will cause chaos
Trump is expected to delay his arrival at Bethpage Black to ease organizational fears as security arrangements are coordinated with the White House and Secret Service.
Donald Trump is expected to delay his arrival at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York to ease concerns about security and potential disruption on opening day. Officials have indicated the president will attend late morning rather than be on site for the first tee shots at 7:10 a.m. local time, a move designed to prevent a repeat of security bottlenecks seen at recent major events. The shift comes as organizers weigh the logistical and security implications of a high-profile presidential appearance at a mass-audience golf competition.
The PGA of America has been in delicate discussions with the White House and the Secret Service about how to stage the security operation for the 1,500-acre site. Tournament director Bryan Karns said there is no option to delay tee times indefinitely because there is no evening lighting to extend play, so the event must run in daylight to ensure fans get the full experience. “We’re working to balance the president’s participation with the flow of the event,” Karns said, describing the process as a careful collaboration with federal security authorities to determine the safest way to bring the president on site without disrupting competition or crowd movement.
A golfer with a close relationship to the president told Daily Mail Sport on Monday that Trump intends to be present “late morning” on opening day but not for the first tee shots. The article noted that predicting movements is never exact, and multiple sources had previously suggested the PGA might push the president’s arrival to the afternoon fourballs. The evolving plans reflect a tension between permitting a high-profile appearance and preserving the tournament’s schedule and spectator experience.
Keegan Bradley and his United States team are scheduled to take on Europe at Bethpage Black this weekend. Tournament officials have stressed that while the president’s participation is welcome, the event’s core tempo must be maintained, and the first tee and surrounding grandstands should not be disrupted. Karns reiterated that the logistics hinge on coordinating with security authorities to ensure an orderly progression of play and public access while accommodating the president’s visit as safely as possible.
The discussions unfold amid broader questions about security at major events involving national figures. The Ryder Cup’s planning process has included ongoing conversations with federal authorities, with the aim of finalizing arrangements in the days ahead. Organizers have sought to strike a balance between allowing a presidential appearance and preserving the integrity and flow of the competition for players and spectators alike. The Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black continues this weekend as teams from the United States and Europe vie for golf’s historic trophy, with security and schedule considerations shaping how the event unfolds for fans around the course.