Trump Arrives at Bethpage Black for Ryder Cup

President Donald Trump and his 18-year-old granddaughter Kai arrived at Bethpage Black Course in Long Island, New York State, on Sept. 26 to watch the first day of competition at the 45th Ryder Cup.

He arrived shortly after the first series of matches was completed, with the Americans down by two points.

“The team is not doing so well, so when I heard that, I said, ‘Let’s get on the plane,'” Trump told reporters while on the way to the course. “We have to fly and help them.”

A comeback from the 12 American golfers is likely, according to the president.

“We’ll get it done,” Trump said. “One way or the other, we’ll get it done.”

Chants of “U.S.A.” echoed around the stands as the president took his place behind bulletproof glass.

Four fighter jets flew overhead, and Trump stood and saluted as the national anthem was played.

Keegan Bradley, team captain for the United States, walked out to the green in front of the president’s viewing platform and imitated Trump’s well-known dance move.

Cheering erupted from the boisterous attendees, many sporting American flags and red, white, and blue attire.

The captain, who faced calls this summer to name himself to the 12-man team, told reporters at the course on Thursday that he is “really grateful” for Trump’s attendance and words of encouragement.

“I’m deeply honored that the president of the United States is going to come support our team at the Ryder Cup,” Bradley said.

“I think anytime you can be around a current president is a pretty phenomenal thing, but when you’re representing your country at a place like Bethpage Black in New York, having the president there to support you is something that is just absolutely incredible.”

Scottie Scheffler, the top-ranked golfer in the world since May 2023, said Trump’s participation is especially important to players and fans following the shooting of Christian conservative commentator Charlie Kirk and other recent incidents.

“To have the president here, it’s been a tough few weeks for our country with some of the stuff that’s been going on, and to have our president here and for us to represent the United States of America, albeit being in a golf tournament, is extremely important for us, and we’re excited to be on home soil with the home crowd, and we’re ready to get this tournament started,” Scheffler said.

The Ryder Cup—a competition held every two years between the best golfers from Europe and the United States—draws passionate fans rooting for both sides.

American players dominated in the early years, winning 22 of the first 25 cups, including 13 in a row between 1959 and 1983. Since 2002, however, the Europeans have won seven out of nine competitions.

Europe took home the trophy in 2023 by winning 17.5 points at the Le Golf National course in Guyancourt, France. America’s last victory came at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin in 2021.

Named after founder Samuel Ryder, the match play competition utilizes a combination of foursome, where two players on each team alternate shots against two competing players; four-ball, where teammates play their own shots and record the lowest score on each hole against two opponents; and singles matches.

One point is awarded for each match win, with 28 points up for grabs. As the defending champions, the European team needs to win 14 points to retain the title, while the Americans must earn 14.5 points to capture the trophy.

Europe led the scoring three points to one after Friday morning’s foursome groupings.

Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay bested Europe’s Robert MacIntyre and Viktor Hovland for the American team’s lone point, so far.