What's happened
President Trump will attend the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, marking the first sitting U.S. president to do so in nearly 100 years. The event features intense competition between the U.S. and Europe, with notable team preparations and course challenges. The Ryder Cup runs from September 26-28, 2025.
What's behind the headline?
The significance of President Trump's attendance at the Ryder Cup lies in its breaking of a nearly century-long tradition, as he is the first sitting U.S. president to attend the event. This move underscores the event's growing political and cultural importance, blending sports with national identity. The Ryder Cup's location at Bethpage Black, a course with a storied history and challenging layout, adds to the event's prestige. The course's reputation for difficulty and the passionate crowd are expected to create a high-stakes atmosphere, likely influencing team performances. The U.S. team, led by captain Keegan Bradley, aims to reclaim the cup from Europe, which last won on U.S. soil in 2012. The European team, captained by Luke Donald, seeks to retain the trophy, with a roster featuring top-ranked players like Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm. The event's outcome will be shaped by team cohesion, course familiarity, and the players' ability to handle the intense environment. Overall, the Ryder Cup remains a pivotal event in golf, with political figures like Trump elevating its profile beyond sport, potentially impacting future diplomatic and cultural exchanges.
What the papers say
AP News reports on Trump's attendance and the event's significance, highlighting the historic nature of his presence and the course's challenges. The Independent provides context on the event's passionate atmosphere and the political implications of Trump's participation, emphasizing the event's status as a major sporting spectacle. The contrasting perspectives underscore the event's cultural importance and the unique blend of sports, politics, and national pride that define this Ryder Cup.
How we got here
The Ryder Cup is a biennial golf competition between the U.S. and Europe, dating back to 1927. The 45th edition is hosted at Bethpage Black in New York, a course known for its difficulty and passionate crowds. The event has historically been a symbol of intense rivalry and national pride, with recent editions seeing increased media attention and political interest, including President Trump's planned attendance.
Go deeper
Common question
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Can Europe finally win the Ryder Cup on U.S. soil in 2025?
The 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. After a long drought since their last win on U.S. soil in 2012, Europe's team is eager to reclaim the trophy. With top players, a challenging course, and intense rivalry, many are wondering if this could be Europe's year. Below, we answer the most common questions about this historic event and what to expect from both teams.
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Why Is President Trump Attending the Ryder Cup?
President Trump’s attendance at the Ryder Cup has sparked widespread interest and debate. As the first sitting U.S. president to attend this event in nearly a century, many are wondering what his presence signifies for the tournament, politics, and sports. Below, we explore the reasons behind his attendance, its historical context, and what it could mean for the future of such sporting events.
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Keegan Hansen Bradley is an American professional golfer who competes on the PGA Tour. He has won four tour events, most notably the 2011 PGA Championship.
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Central Europe is the region comprising the central part of Europe. Central Europe occupies continuous territories that are otherwise sometimes considered parts of Western Europe, Southern Europe and Eastern Europe.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Luke Campbell Donald MBE is an English professional golfer who has been the World Number One. He plays mainly on the U.S.-based PGA Tour but is also a member of the European Tour.
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The Ryder Cup is a biennial men's golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. The competition is contested every two years with the venue alternating between courses in the United States and Europe.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.