Justin Rose makes Donald Trump feelings clear ahead of Ryder Cup visit

Chelsea fan Justin Rose has invited Donald Trump to join the European Ryder Cup victory presentation if Europe retain the trophy on Sunday. The USA President was on the stage when the Blues were handed the FIFA World Club Cup at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in July.

And golf fan Trump is scheduled to attend the opening day of the Ryder Cup in Long Island amid heightened security. But asked if he would like to invite the President to return on Sunday if the visitors achieve an against-the-odds win, the world No.14 said: “100 per cent, yeah, would love the opportunity to have that opportunity.

"Listen, I'm not sure he's going to want to be on the stage congratulating the team that sort of wins in his backyard. But listen, of course, he's the President, ultimate respect, and that would be a great opportunity.”

President Trump is expected to attend after the opening foursomes tee off at 7.10am on Friday morning. Increased security measures have been announced today - including the banning of range finders. Gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks used the device before his failed assassination attempt against Trump Butler, Pennsylvania in July 2024.

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Asked how Team Europe will handle the President’s visit, Rose added: "Yeah, obviously he's going to bring certainly a lot of attention and patriotism to the event. By all accounts, he's going to be in - I don't [know] what I'll say, but I don't think he's going to necessarily be on the tee box with us or roaming the course.

"So from that point of view, I think there will just be a lot of noise around it, but I'm not sure there will be the continued distraction of it. But again, I could be wrong, just based upon what I've heard, how they're going to handle his movements around the property.

"Listen, it's great for golf that he's engaged in the game and obviously he brings a lot of eyeballs with him. Yeah, fan-wise, I'm sure Friday afternoon will be certainly very intense and entertaining."

Bethpage Black staged the Ryder Cup celebrity match today with John McEnroe, Eli Manning, Brooklyn Peltz Beckham, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Pau Gasol But Rose has only been “star struck” by one man this week - Blues legend Gianfranco Zola.

The former Italy striker is here with Team Europe and driving the buggy of his friend Francesco Molinari. “Obviously a Chelsea legend,” said Hampshire-born Rose. “Clearly I'm a Chelsea fan. I didn't know he was coming this week. So it was a huge surprise, and literally, one of the first people I bumped into. I was coming around the corner hotel to the lifts and bumped into him.

“I meet a lot of really cool people in my life through the game of golf. But I was like, 'Whoa! Wow! Hey, Gianfranco!' I was star struck which is amazing.

“Football hits different, especially back at home, and obviously the career he's had. I've become more of an engaged football fan in the last decade, I would say. I have a 16-year-old-son (Leo) who's mad about his football. So it's really been a thing we connect with now.

“So I would say my history of football and like really knowing greatest hits and highlights, I'd be not quite there. But I think his energy, what he can provide, he's here, let's call it fly on the wall. But I think if there's a moment that he observes and can kind of chime in and can understand the pressure or can understand momentum or locker room mentality, then obviously there's probably going to be something this week where he can relay a really powerful message. Hopefully he has that opportunity because I'd love to hear it.”

Former West Ham manager Zola, who plays off a handicap of 1.6, said: “It is great to be here. I have known Frankie for years - we have played the Dunhill Links Championships together. I am looking forward to a great week.”