U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed he will attend the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black while backing Keegan Bradley to not only lead the team but play as a competitor.
The 45th edition of the Ryder Cup between Team USA and Europe will take place from September 26 to 28 in New York as Europe looks to defend their 2023 crown.
The champions defeated the USA in Rome two years ago, and captain Luke Donald is pushing his side to be the first to win in America since 2012.
Trump, a golf fanatic whose golf allegiances are spread over the world, owns a wide golf course portfolio with venues in the USA and Europe.
Donald Trump will attend the 2025 Ryder Cup opening day
The President announced on Truth Social: “It will be a great Ryder Cup. At the invite of the PGA Tour, I will be there on tournament Friday.”
And after confirming his attendance, Trump further stirred the Team USA wildcard pot by publicly backing Bradley to be the first playing captain since Arnold Palmer.
In 1963, Palmer became the last man to combine the captaincy with playing duties and lead the USA to victory in the Ryder Cup.
Trump posted: “Keegan Bradley should definitely be on the American Ryder Cup team – as captain! He is an amazing guy.”
The 39-year-old captain and Major champion has enjoyed a stellar 2025 season, where he claimed the Travelers Championship and a place in the USA’s best 12 players on merit.
Team USA have Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, JJ Spaun, Russell Henley, Harris English, and Bryson DeChambeau confirmed as automatic qualifiers.
Captain Bradley will announce the remaining six team members with his wildcard picks unmasked on Wednesday.
Does the U.S. President normally attend the Ryder Cup?
Presidents being invited to the Ryder Cup isn’t uncommon, with several former postholders attending the historic event.
Former USA captain Davis Love III delivered an in-person invitation to Barack Obama during a 2011 White House visit alongside team members Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson.
Bill Clinton was also a passionate golf fan during his presidency, but wasn’t invited to the event. He famously hosted the Team USA side led by Tom Watson in 1993.
However, several team members were not a fan of him or his political party.
Watson deemed that his team must show the White House the respect it deserved, with several members reportedly won over by Clinton’s enthusiasm and golfing knowledge.
Keegan Bradley: ‘The biggest decision of my life’
A T7 finish at the Tour Championship this weekend further backs up his credentials, but he acknowledged the magnitude of his decision at East Lake.
Speaking to reporters midway through the Tour Championship, Bradley admitted: “This is the biggest decision of my life.
“I am very well aware that no matter what decision I make, I am going to be defined by it.
“If we win, it doesn’t matter what I do. I am fine with that.
“Normally, if you win, you are the best captain, and when you lose, you are the worst.”
The weekend’s action at the Tour Championship will be Bradley’s last indicator of form before he makes his anticipated 12-man squad finalisation in a press conference.
Several players for both Team USA and Europe improved their chances, while some will inevitably rue a missed opportunity as the form players emerge.
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