Ryder Cup on high security alert after Charlie Kirk assassination

Police chiefs warned that the Ryder Cup faces an elevated risk of being targeted to make a statement in the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination. The conservative political activist, an ally of President Donald Trump, was shot during an event in Utah earlier this month. Two weeks on, Trump is expected to attend Bethpage Black for the opening day of the 45th Ryder Cup between Europe and the United States.

The security operation for the event is among the largest for a sporting event in recent memory, described by organizers as on par with a Super Bowl. It relies on drones and bomb-disposal dogs, with chemical, biological and radiological units part of layered protections. "If anything, the likelihood of somebody trying to use an event like this to make a statement is only increased," Major Stephen Udice, who leads Ryder Cup security, told the BBC. "Some would argue it's much higher. We are planning as if there are threats. We have multiple different layers that someone looking to cause chaos and harm is going to have to get through." Udice added that Trump’s appearance creates another challenge for security services, noting the president is expected to arrive at Bethpage Black late Friday morning as part of the opening schedule. "But that's also something that we incorporated into our plan a year and a half ago," he said. "We're trying to strike that balance between minimizing the interruption to all the spectators but also keeping the president safe."

Ryder Cup director Bryan Karns acknowledged that managing the president’s visit will likely be the week’s most challenging component. He said the Secret Service and White House have been working with Ryder Cup officials to prepare, and while some procedures will take longer, officials do not anticipate delays to play. Karns noted that a dedicated command center has been established and a "tremendous amount of resources" have been mobilized to protect participants, spectators and staff. Hundreds of additional New York state and local law enforcement officers have been deployed, and authorities are actively monitoring social media for potential threats. Udice compared the operation to a Super Bowl or baseball World Series, but he stressed the special challenge posed by Bethpage Park’s 1,400-acre expanse rather than a contained stadium.

Officials say the security plan has been built over months in anticipation of heightened global attention, and organizers emphasize coordination with federal agencies to balance safety with minimize disruption to fans as the championship event unfolds at Bethpage Black this weekend.