World number one Scottie Scheffler has revealed he receives calls and messages from United States president Donald Trump after he wins tournaments.
Golf-loving Trump will attend the first day of the Ryder Cup this week as the United States begin their bid to regain the trophy when they take on Europe at Bethpage Black in New York on Friday.
The president is due to visit the course during the first day of competitive action and Scheffler says the US team are honoured by his presence, amid a glowing endorsement of Trump.
Scheffler said: "The president is kind of funny. He loves the game of golf, he loves supporting golfers and I get a call or a text from him sometimes after wins.
"He just loves the game of golf and he's one of those guys when you're around him, he does such a good job of feeding confidence into everybody around him.
"That was one of the things I noticed a lot with the little bit of time I spent with him, is he treats everybody the same and treats people with the utmost respect.
"Whether you're the person serving us lunch or the caddie on the golf course or the guy who's the president of the club that we're at, he treats everybody like they're the greatest person in the world.
"I don't think he has any plans to address us as a team, but I'm sure if things go well, we'll hear from him this week."
Trump's visit to Bethpage Black comes amid a divided political landscape following the assassination of influencer Charlie Kirk a fortnight ago and the subsequent temporary cancellation of television host Jimmy Kimmell.
Scheffler described it as a "tough few weeks for our country", but said that his team were all ready to rally for their country.
"I think our team as a whole, we're very proud to be Americans. I think the flag means a lot to us," he said.
"Being here in New York I think is very special as well and to have the President here.
"It's been a tough few weeks for our country with some of the stuff that's been going on and to have our president here and for us to represent the United States of America - albeit being in a golf tournament - is extremely important for us.
"We're excited to be on home soil with the home crowd and we're ready to get this tournament started."
The American team have also hit back at suggestions being paid to play in the Ryder Cup implies the event means more to Europe.
This week's match will see US players receive a fee for appearing in the biennial contest for the first time.
The matter has been a thorny subject for a number of years but was resolved ahead of this edition with it being determined all 12 players plus the captain would be allocated $500,000 (€423,370).
Of that, $300,000 is to be allocated to a charity of the individual's choice - an increase on a previous charitable agreement - with $200,000 to be used as they see fit.
European players, by contrast, are not paid and have not requested money, with Rory McIlroy even saying last year he would pay for the privilege of playing.
Some have interpreted that to mean the Europeans care more about the Ryder Cup but US team member Xander Schauffele is among those to disagree.
The two-time major winner, who has said he will donate his entire allocation to charity, said at a press conference: "You guys keep talking about it and trying to make it this negative thing - it's whatever everyone views it as.
"I don't think I'd be sitting up on this stage if I didn't have a positive attitude, and I try to look at this in the most positive of lights as possible - an opportunity to do some good, which isn't always the case.
"There's a lot of pride that comes into playing in one of these, and yes, we're happy to get paid for this, and yes, I plan on donating it. It's something that selfishly will make me feel good about what I do."
Team captain Keegan Bradley, who helped set up the payment model, also plans to donate 100% to charity and Scheffler has suggested he will do likewise.
Scheffler said: "My wife and I like to do a lot of stuff in our local community and I've never been one to announce what we do.
"We have something planned for the money that we'll be receiving. I think it's a really cool thing that the PGA of America has empowered us to do."
Patrick Cantlay, whose failure to wear a team hat at the 2023 Ryder Cup led to suggestions he was protesting about a lack of payments, has also confirmed he will donate all to good causes.
