Donald Trump’s presence on Friday afternoon at Bethpage will probably be the most talked-about news in the 2025 Ryder Cup. The POTUS will be there to show his support for Team U.S. against a strong European side in New York. This would have rung some alarm bells in the Team Europe dressing room. But Luke Donald’s side is completely focused, and Robert MacIntyre set a great example of that in an interview.
Bob Mac sat down for a press conference preceding the 2025 Ryder Cup. During the conversation of the reporters asked him if Trump’s proud Scottish heritage would have any impact on his presence at Bethpage. MacIntyre bluntly told the reporter, “I just play golf. I don’t — politics and stuff is out of my — I mean, I’m not bright enough, for one, to be worrying about politics. I’m worrying more about what goes on this week on the golf course.”
Robert seems unfazed about the President’s appearance on Friday. Over the last few weeks, Luke Donald and his team have been trying various tactics to help the team prepare for the onslaught in New York. Rory McIlroy revealed how the Team Europe captain had provided everyone with VR headsets that simulate the abuse they might be subject to at Bethpage. Seems that the strategy has desensitized MacIntyre enough that he is not bothered about the presence of Donald Trump on the course as well.
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Speaking about his role for the squad, the Scotsman added, “As a European, we’ve got a job to do, and yeah, try and compete as hard as we can and hopefully win the Ryder Cup.” At the end of the day, whatever approach they take, every Team Europe player’s primary goal would be to help their team get the maximum points to win at Bethpage. Whether it’s to ignore the noise or avoid Donald Trump.
So when MacIntyre was asked if he found the President’s presence on the course distracting, he didn’t shy away from giving his honest take on the situation. The Scottish pro said, “It’s just another spectator,” as far as he’s concerned. And as he has been preparing to use the VR headsets, if the spectators at Bethpage become too distracting, then they are to be ignored.
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MacIntyre might greet him graciously when he is not handling his club. But when he is on the fairway, then President Donald Trump will be treated like any other American supporter trying to derail the Europeans. However, when the tournament is over, Robert MacIntyre might face the President once again. This time, he won’t be able to ignore him as Luke Donald has already invited him into the conversation.