The director of the Ryder Cup has confirmed the tournament has held talks with the Secret Service ahead of Donald Trump’s presence at the event – as he hopes the president’s attendance won’t ‘disrupt the general flow’ at Bethpage Black.
Trump’s attendance at the US Open men’s final earlier this month caused chaos for fans, who waited in massive lines to get into Arthur Ashe Stadium as security measures were enhanced. Ultimately, the match started 48 minutes late.
Ryder Cup director Bryan Karns, though, is hoping things go more smoothly next week when Trump attends the opening round on Friday.
‘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,’ he told Front Office Sports.
‘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.’
Karns added that pushing back the start of the tournament – which is set to begin at 7:10 am local time next Friday – is not an option for organizers of the Europe-USA event.
President Donald Trump’s presence at the US Open men’s final caused chaos for fans
The added security measures in place resulted in extremely long lines to get into Arthur Ashe
Organizers of the Ryder Cup will hope that things go more smoothly at Bethpage next week
‘At Arthur Ashe Stadium, you can flip those lights on, you can go late,’ he said. ‘Whereas we don’t have that luxury of doing that, and you obviously want to make sure, if possible, you’re finishing both sessions on the day we start them so the fans can see it from start to finish.’
Nonetheless, he told FOS that Trump’s team has been ‘very mindful of limiting any disruption.’
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s matchup in the men’s final on September 7 was thrust into chaos by the presence of the Commander-in-Chief, as fans were required to empty their pockets and go through airport-style scanners in their way in.
A US Open insider even told the Daily Mail that tournament made precautionary preparations against a possible nerve agent threat.
Ultimately, Alcaraz won that match in four sets as Trump attended the US Open for the first time in 10 years.
Ryder Cup organizers are working with the Secret Service to make sure Trump’s presence at the event goes smoothly
The likes of Scottie Scheffler, Colin Morikawa and Trump ally Bryson DeChambeau will compete for Team USA in this year’s Ryder Cup.
Europe will be led by the likes of Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland.
The tournament will take place in the town of Bethpage on Long Island – roughly an hour away from Manhattan.
It will be the first time the tournament takes place at the course.
Trump has consistently attended sporting events during his second term in office, and recently visited his hometown Yankees last week
He also appeared at the Super Bowl between the Eagles and Chiefs earlier this year in New Orleans, has attended several UFC fights and even made plans to host a fight card on the White House lawn next year.
