Officials running the Ryder Cup have revealed they are coordinating with the Secret Service ahead of Donald Trump‘s expected attendance at the tournament next week in New York. Their goal is to ensure the former president’s visit does not interrupt the flow of play at Bethpage Black.
Earlier this month, Trump attended the US Open men’s final, which led to long security lines and delays at Arthur Ashe Stadium, pushing the match’s start back by 48 minutes.
Ryder Cup director Bryan Karns shared that they are working closely with security agencies to make Trump‘s arrival and participation as smooth as possible, without impacting the event’s schedule.
“It’s really a collaboration with the Secret Service to figure out the safest way to get the president on site and allow him to enjoy the event, but at the same time, not disrupt the general flow,” Karns told Front Office Sports.
He stressed that unlike at tennis venues, postponing the start time, set for 7:10 a.m. local time on Friday, is not an option for the Ryder Cup.
“At Arthur Ashe Stadium, you can turn on the lights and extend play,” he explained. “We don’t have that luxury. We want to ensure both sessions finish on the day they start so fans can watch from start to finish.”
Despite concerns, Karns said Trump‘s team has been “very mindful” about minimizing any disruption.
During the US Open final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, fans faced extensive security checks due to Trump‘s presence, including airport-style screenings. The tournament also took precautionary measures against potential threats.
Trump concerns reach golf
This year’s Ryder Cup will feature Team USA stars like Scottie Scheffler, Colin Morikawa, and Bryson DeChambeau, while Europe will be represented by Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, and Viktor Hovland.
Bethpage Black, situated about an hour from Manhattan, will host the Ryder Cup for the first time.
Throughout his presidency, Trump has made frequent appearances at major sports events, recently attending a Yankees game and the Super Bowl. He has also been present at UFC matches and has plans for a White House fight event next year.
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