FRISCO, Texas \u2014 Keegan Bradley may not have given Donald Trump his wish, but the United States Ryder Cup captain made it clear he\u2019s excited to welcome the president to Bethpage Black in September.<\/p>\n
Trump posted<\/a> on his social media site Saturday night that he\u2019ll attend the Ryder Cup in Farmingdale, N.Y., as the guest of the PGA Tour, repeating a common misconception that the PGA Tour and PGA of America (which owns and operates the Ryder Cup as well as the PGA Championship) are the same organization. In that message, Trump also asserted that he\u2019d like Bradley to be a playing captain. That will not be the case \u2014 Bradley chose not to make himself the first playing captain<\/a> since Arnold Palmer in 1963.<\/p>\n PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague confirmed that the organization invited Trump \u201ca number of weeks ago\u201d and expects him to be in attendance on Sept. 26, although that could change depending on the president\u2019s schedule. The Ryder Cup will be played from Sept. 23-28.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s great to have a sitting president that loves the game of golf, and I think he\u2019ll just help energize the team with this presence there,\u201d Sprague said.<\/p>\n Bradley was made aware of the invitation in advance, Sprague said, and confirmed his support. Bradley called it \u201creally surreal and stunning\u201d to see the president\u2019s post.<\/p>\n \u201cI really appreciate it, Mr. President,\u201d Bradley said to the cameras during a news conference to announce his captain\u2019s picks. \u201cI hope you\u2019re not disappointed. We look forward to seeing you at the Ryder Cup.\u201d<\/p>\n Bradley\u2019s decision about whether or not to play has consumed the golf world in recent months, something that he said surprised even himself.<\/p>\n \u201cThat certainly made things \u2014 when you see stuff like that, you start to wonder how we got to this point in my life. But I was really honored, deeply honored to have him say that,\u201d Bradley said.<\/p>\n The invitation to Trump is another sign of the thawing relationship between him and the larger golf world. The PGA of America moved the 2022 PGA Championship from Trump Bedminster, his course in New Jersey, in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot.<\/p>\n