Trump's Ryder Cup visit leaves Team USA trailing as Europe holds lead at Bethpage Black

Europe led 3-1 after the morning fourball matches on Friday at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York, with one match still unfinished as the United States sought a rally in the Ryder Cup. The deficit underscored a challenging start for Team USA as Europe took three of the opening four matches.

President Donald Trump arrived at Bethpage Black aboard Air Force One, drawing a thunderous reception from spectators gathered near the first tee and behind the grandstands. Trump said he had flown in to help the United States team and to try to spark a comeback, telling reporters, “The team is not doing so well... so when I heard that, I said, ‘Let’s go on the plane — we have to try to help them.’” He remained for roughly 16 drives before departing as play moved into the afternoon session. One estimate placed the trip’s cost at more than $16 million for taxpayers.

Security around the Ryder Cup was unusually pronounced, with drones overhead, bomb-disposal dogs on duty, and airport-style screening for spectators entering the grounds. A semicircle of thick glass was formed around the president, his granddaughter Kai, and his entourage, and several snipers were positioned above the grandstands as part of the protective detail. The heightened security reflected a broader pattern of presidential appearances at major sports events, even as organizers worked to balance access with safety.

Back on the course, Keegan Bradley, the Team USA captain, greeted Trump from the edge of the first tee, then joined the players in the afternoon fourballs. He pointed at the president and performed the signature jig associated with the moment, later jokingly bowing at Trump’s feet. Other players followed suit in varying degrees of enthusiasm: rookie JJ Spaun danced in front of the president, Scottie Scheffler flashed a fist pump, and Collin Morikawa lined up for handshakes with Trump nearby. European skipper Luke Donald was cordial as he passed, and Rory McIlroy acknowledged the moment with a wave to the crowd.

Saturday’s Ryder Cup history books hold an unusual moment: no sitting U.S. president had previously sat in the stands for the event, a reflection of Trump’s enduring interest in sport and his willingness to blend politics with major athletic occasions. Since returning to the White House earlier this year, Air Force One has carried Trump to a string of marquee events—from the Super Bowl to the Daytona 500 and the US Open final—underscoring a pattern of presidential appearances at sports spectacles.

The security and spectacle did not alter the on-course results for Friday’s action. As the afternoon fourballs wrapped up, Team USA had not overturned the early deficit, and the overall score remained three points behind Europe. Bradley had suggested momentum could swing with the president’s presence, but the scoreboard told a steadier story: the United States entered the next day needing a strong run to reverse the opening-day pace.