The champagne was flowing, the Ryder Cup trophy gleaming, and Rory McIlroy had his phone out for the ultimate victory selfie. But Team Europe had one more message to deliver—and it was aimed directly at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
“Are You Watching Donald Trump?” The chant erupted spontaneously from the victorious European squad at Bethpage Black. They had just completed a historic 15-13 triumph over Team USA on American soil. The celebration carried extra weight given the location—New York, Trump’s home territory, and just miles from his golf properties.
Hours later, President Trump delivered his response. He posted on Truth Social at 7:11 AM on September 29, 2025. His message was brief and gracious: “Yes, I’m watching. Congratulations!” The post garnered over 10,500 likes and 2,100 shares.
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Trump’s presence had loomed large throughout the weekend. He became the first sitting U.S. president to attend the Ryder Cup when he appeared on Friday afternoon. He had praised European captain Luke Donald during the tournament, telling him he was becoming a great leader. Now, despite his team’s defeat, Trump extended congratulations to the victors.
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The relationship between Trump and McIlroy has traveled a winding road. They first played golf together in February 2017 at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. McIlroy defended the round, calling it done “out of respect for the office.” He described Trump as “charismatic” and “personable.”
Everything changed by May 2020. McIlroy sharply criticized Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. He declared he wouldn’t play golf with the president again. “There’s some stuff that just is terrible,” McIlroy stated. “It’s not the way a leader should act.”
Fast forward to 2025, and the two have reconciled. They played together in January, with McIlroy describing it as a “good discussion.” McIlroy even positioned Trump as a potential broker for reunifying professional golf. “The president has considerable influence,” McIlroy noted. “He has direct access to Yasir’s superior, which is a rare advantage.”
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Team Europe’s Dominant Victory at Bethpage Black
Team Europe’s victory marked their first away win since the “Miracle at Medinah” in 2012. The 15-13 final score doesn’t fully capture their dominance. They led 11.5-4.5 heading into Sunday’s singles matches.
McIlroy finished with a stellar 4-0-1 record despite enduring relentless crowd hostility. Tommy Fleetwood earned four out of five possible points. Shane Lowry delivered the clinching moment—a dramatic birdie putt on the 18th hole that sealed Europe’s retention of the Cup.
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Captain Luke Donald led 11 of the same 12 players from the Rome 2023 event. His attention to detail proved decisive. The team brought custom bedding, specialized shampoos, and even blackout curtains for hotel rooms. “Those are just little things,” Donald explained. “You want to create an environment where they can succeed.”
The 2027 Ryder Cup heads to Adare Manor in Ireland from September 17-19. It will mark the centenary edition of the tournament. Trump’s relationship with golf—and with these players—will undoubtedly continue evolving as that date approaches.