Luke Donald has revealed what Donald Trump told him when the president of the United States arrived at the first tee at the Ryder Cup on Friday.
Trump is a passionate golfist and has appeared in the main sporting events during his presidency, such as the Super Bowl, the final of the Club World Cup and the final of the Men’s Us Open.
He took a Washington DC helicopter to appear in the afternoon when the players began the second session of the day, and was received by the passionate songs of “United States!” For the spectators of the Ryder Cup, before the interpretation of the national anthem was accompanied by an elevated passage of military planes.
Trump made a point of recoil to American players, but he also took a time to greet Donald, the European captain.
“Yes, I saw Mr. President and shook his hand and said Hello,” Donald said. “He said: ‘You know what, you are becoming a true leader.’ He was kind to say that. He was kind to support this event.”
Donald’s counterpart, American captain Keegan Bradley, was asked if Trump’s appearance was uncomfortable, since the US team was losing 3-1 when the president arrived.
Bradley, who also bowed to the president, has not hidden his political loyalty in the accumulation of the tournament and said that having Trump will be a memory for life.
“No, it was great,” Bradley insisted. “That was really a great experience. Seeing an active president on the fields of an Ryder Cup or in a golf event, what a great thing. The elevated step with Air Force One, I will never forget that for the rest of my life.”
The presidential visit had led to a great increase in security measures in Bethpage.
The doors opened at 5 in the morning to allow fans enough time to clean the projection and occupy their position in the course. Spectators were also banned to bring several articles to the property while the combat planes regularly patrolled the sky.
But the president’s appearance finally did not change the course when Europe ended on Friday with an advantage of 5½ and 2½.