Trump to delay Ryder Cup arrival amid security concerns at Bethpage Black
White House talks with security officials continue as organizers seek to protect fans and tee times during the opening-day events.
Donald Trump is expected to delay his arrival at the Ryder Cup this week to ease fears about security and disruption at Bethpage Black in New York. A source with close access to the president told Daily Mail Sport that Trump intends to be on site late morning for opening-day ceremonies but will not attend the first tee shots at 7:10 a.m. local time. The plan comes after security-related delays at major events, including the U.S. Open, where the men’s singles final was briefly delayed by about 30 minutes amid heightened precautions.
Officials from the PGA of America have reportedly floated the idea of Trump arriving for the afternoon fourball session, a move that would help organizers manage crowds and security. The PGA confirmed ongoing discussions with the White House and the Secret Service about the security operation required at the 1,500-acre Bethpage property in New York as preparations proceed.
Tournament director Bryan Karns cautioned that delaying tee times isn’t feasible because there is no evening window to compensate. “We actually won’t be able to delay the tee times because we don’t have the evening,” Karns said. “At Arthur Ashe Stadium, you can flip the lights on and go late. We don’t have that luxury. We need to finish both sessions in daylight so fans get the full experience.”
Karns framed the arrangement as a collaboration with the Secret Service to ensure the president can participate and enjoy the event while not disrupting the flow of play. He stressed the need to protect the integrity of the Ryder Cup’s opening-day schedule, including the anticipated crowds at the first tee and surrounding grandstands.
The Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black is this weekend, with Keegan Bradley and the United States team facing Europe. Officials acknowledge that securing safe access and minimizing disruption for players and spectators are central to the planning as the event draws global attention. While predicting presidential movements is rarely precise, several sources believe Trump will favor a later arrival to balance public interest with operational realities.
As organizers continue to coordinate with federal security teams, the focus remains on delivering a competitive, spectator-friendly event without compromising safety or the pace of play. The dynamic nature of the security plan underscores the complexity of hosting a high-profile event on U.S. soil while accommodating a president who has publicly shown interest in attending this weekend.