Bryson DeChambeau has called on Donald Trump to “inspire” the US team to Ryder Cup glory at Bethpage Black. DeChambeau’s rallying call arrived on the eve of the president making an appearance for day one of the contest between the US and Europe.
The American’s message contrasted sharply with the approach of Europe’s Robert MacIntyre, who shrugged off any notion Trump could influence proceedings in New York.
“I hope he [Trump] will inspire us to victory,” said DeChambeau. “I think he’ll be a great force for us to get a lot of people on our side. It will be interesting and exciting to see how the crowd and everybody reacts. It’s going to be an electric environment.”
It will also be a fraught one, with an intense security operation in place around Trump’s visit. The president is expected to appear by the 1st tee before Friday afternoon’s fourball session gets under way.
MacIntyre was characteristically blunt when asked whether Trump’s arrival could serve as a distraction to the European team. “It’s just another spectator,” said the Scotsman. “As a European, we’ve got a job to do; try and compete as hard as we can and hopefully win the Ryder Cup.”
DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy had entered into some verbal jousting before arrival at Bethpage. The Northern Irishman refused to re-enter that territory on Thursday but admitted he would relish coming up against the Californian over the three tournament days.
“It’s so easy to play into narratives this week and to get swept up in rivalries, Ryder Cup and whatever it is,” McIlroy said. “All I want to do is go and try and put blue points on the board. I don’t care who it’s against.
“If I come up against Bryson at some point, I think that’s great. I think that’s wonderful for the championship and wonderful for us, as well, in some ways. I just want to go out there do what I can for the European team.”
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McIlroy was effusive in his praise of the US as a country, as if to prove this golf rivalry exists in a bubble. “It’s the land of opportunity,” McIlroy said. “And I still believe it’s the best country in the world. If you come here and work hard and dedicate yourself, you can be or do whatever you want.
“There’s a wonderful sense of work ethic. I live here, my wife is American. My daughter is American. I have a lot of affinity towards this country, and I think everyone that lives here should have that same affinity because it is a wonderful place.”
