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Hoards of golf fans flooded to Bethpage Black ahead of the beginning of one of the most highly-anticipated Ryder Cups in history as early as 4am on Friday morning, with heightened security measures in place amid the arrival of President Donald Trump.
When the gates at the famous New York golf club opened at 5am EST - ahead of the first four-ball just after 7am - there was a stampede as fans scrambled to secure a spot in the grand stand.
There's been a huge build-up to the event this week as Team Europe, spearheaded by Rory McIlroy, look to become only the fifth side in history to win the cup on American soil. But one of the biggest talking points of them all has been the arrival of Donald Trump on Friday morning.
The controversial political leader is expected to arrive shortly before noon as the second round of four-balls begin.
Trump's attendance comes a little over a year after he was shot in the ear at a rally in Pennsylvania and just two weeks after the fatal shooting of his friend and ally Charlie Kirk. There have therefore been a host of safety guidelines introduced at the event in order to ensure his safety.
A host of items typically allowed at major golf events, for instance, have been banned at Bethpage Black in the grand stand and clubhouse area of the course.
Fans raced to Bethpage Black as early as 5am this morning ahead of the start of the Ryder Cup
The grandstand in New York was completely full more than two hours before the first four-ball
President Donald Trump is expected to arrive at the event at around 11:30
Portable chargers, folding chairs, insulted beverage containers and large umbrellas are not permitted, neither are range finders.
Back in July 2024, the security services reportedly flagged a man using a range around 20 minutes before Trump was shot at in Pennsylvania. Range finders are routinely used by golfers to work out the distance between their ball and the hole.
There were also increased levels of security in the early hours of this morning as supporters flooded to the venue.
Fans were spotted sprinting towards security check-ups in order to gain a good seat, where they were thoroughly checked before being permitted into the course.
Pictures show the course's grandstand, situated near the first tee, completely full more than two hours before the scheduled start of play shortly after 7am when Jon Rahm and Tyrell Hatton take on Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas.
DeChambeau, who's publicly backed Trump, hopes his attendance will 'inspire' Team USA to victory.
'I think he'll be a great force for us to get a lot of people on our side,' he said.
'I think it will be interested and exciting to see how the crowd and everybody reacts, It's going to be an electric environment.'
More to follow.
