Scottie Scheffler expects President Donald Trump’s visit to boost the US at Ryder Cup
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Scottie Scheffler of Team United States signing autographs for fans before the 2025 Ryder Cup on Sept 23 in Farmingdale, New York.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
FARMINGDALE – Top-ranked golfer Scottie Scheffler said on Sept 23 that he expects President Donald Trump’s planned appearance later this week at the Ryder Cup to boost the United States squad.
The Americans will face holders Europe at the Bethpage Black course in the biennial golf showdown – only days after a memorial service for young Republican political activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot earlier in September.
“It has been a tough few weeks for our country with some of the stuff that has 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,” said Scheffler.
“We’re excited to be on home soil with the home crowd and we’re ready to get this tournament started.”
Mr Trump, a well-known golf fan, is scheduled to appear during the first day of competition on Sept 26, although exactly when is uncertain.
US captain Keegan Bradley evaded the question when asked if Mr Trump might speak to the US squad for a motivational boost.
“I think President Trump is a pretty busy guy. I’m just thrilled he’s going to be here,” he said, adding he looked forward to seeing the president on the sidelines at the opening tee.
“This first tee at Bethpage is going to be a sporting event to remember across any sport, and then you add on the President of the United States standing there, I really think it’s going to be something that everyone will remember forever.”
Scheffler noted that Mr Trump had called to congratulate him after past triumphs.
“I don’t think he has any plans to address us as a team, but I’m sure if things go well, we’ll hear from him this week,” the four-time Major winner said.
The world No. 1 said he personally did not have plans to meet the president.
From his past interactions with Mr Trump, he praised the president as a skilled confidence-booster.
“He’s one of those guys when you’re around him, he does such a good job of feeding confidence into everybody around him,” Scheffler said.
Bradley said Mr Trump’s attention would not serve as a distraction for his squad, which features 12 players ranked in the world’s top 23.
Europe captain Luke Donald of England agreed.
“Any time a sitting president wants to come to an event, it just shows how big the Ryder Cup is,” the Englishman said.
“You see it... as a mark of respect that a sitting president wants to support an event when he has a very busy schedule. To find time for that shows something.”
The organisers moved the scheduled opening ceremony to Sept 24 due to poor weather forecasts on Sept 25.
Donald and Bradley, however, will reveal their pairings for Friday’s morning foursomes matches on Sept 24 as planned.
Europe won 16½-11½ in Rome two years ago. AFP
