Donald Trump is expected to delay his arrival at the Ryder Cup in a move to ease fears about his planned visit to Bethpage Black on Friday.
One golfer who has a close relationship with the US President told Daily Mail Sport here on Monday that Trump is intending to be present ‘late morning’ on the opening day, but not for the first tee shots at 7.10am local time.
That would no doubt please the organizers, who have been concerned about a repeat of the bedlam that accompanied the men’s singles final at the US Open, which was delayed by half an hour amid increased security protocols.
It was reported earlier this month that the PGA of America had been delicately suggesting that Trump instead schedule his arrival for the afternoon fourballs.
Predicting his movements is never an exact science, but multiple sources believe Trump will now favor the latter option.
The PGA of America could only confirm that discussions with the White House are ‘ongoing’, with talks being held with the secret service over the vast security operation necessary at the 1,500-acre site in New York.
Donald Trump is expected to delay his arrival at the Ryder Cup to ease organizational fears
Keegan Bradley and his USA team take on Europe at Bethpage Black this weekend
Tournament director Bryan Karns sounded a cautionary note this week in saying: ‘We actually won’t be able to delay the tee times because we don’t have the evening.
‘At Arthur Ashe Stadium (for the US Open tennis), 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.’
He added: ‘It’s really just a collaboration with the secret service to figure out the safest way to get the president on site, and to allow him to be able to participate and enjoy and be a part of what we’re doing, but at the same time, not disrupt the general flow.
‘Not have something take place where the hallmark at the Ryder Cup—the first tee or some of these grandstands that we expect and would plan to be full—that we don’t impede that.’
