US President Donald Trump fist-bumps US golfer Bryson DeChambeau as he attends the Ryder Cup
Mandel NGANNot even President Donald Trump could make the United States golf team great again but his appearance at Friday's opening day of the 45th Ryder Cup added fuel to the electric atmosphere around the first tee at Bethpage Black.
Europe seized a 5.5-2.5 lead after morning foursomes and afternoon four-ball matches, with American stars Bryson DeChambeau and world number one Scottie Scheffler each losing twice.
Europe started 3-0 on US soil for the first time, prompting Trump to tell reporters as he boarded a plane to New York that he had to get there and help the team.
He arrived for the four-ball matches and there was marginal improvement, Europe only going 2-1-1 in the afternoon versus 3-1 in the morning, but it was far from the "feeling things are going to turn" US captain Keegan Bradley predicted when he saw Air Force One flying overhead.
"That was really a cool experience," Bradley said. "Seeing an active President on the grounds of a Ryder Cup or at a golf event -- what a cool thing.
"The flyover with Air Force One, I'll never forget that the rest of my life. It was really cool."
Trump walked onto the first tee for the four-ball matches to chants of "U-S-A" and cheers and later had fans chanting "Don-ald Trump" in tribute.
Trump sat in an area protected by bulletproof plexiglass to watch but ventured out several times as players from both teams greeted him.
"I saw Mr. President and shook his hand and said hello," Europe captain Luke Donald said.
"And he said, 'You know what, you're becoming a real great leader.' It was nice of him to say that. It was nice of him to support this event."
The President chatted with Bradley and DeChambeau as well as retired golf legend Gary Player.
Trump saluted during the singing of the US national anthem and a flyover by US military fighter jets.
Trump has appeared at a series of major sports events this year, including the Super Bowl, the US Open tennis men's final and FIFA's Club World Cup final.
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Originally published on doc.afp.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
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