������Ƶ

FARMINGDALE, N.Y.: The Ryder Cup had moments of inspiration in vastly different forms during a quiet Monday start to golf’s most chaotic week. There were tears for the Americans as they gathered on the first tee at sunrise and a strong reminder for Europe as they go after a rare road win.

US captain Keegan Bradley had his entire team on the first tee before the gates open, no one in the massive grandstands that come Friday will be packed with flag-waving fans.

He had Chris Mascali, a New York firefighter whose father died during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, speak to the team. Mascali brought his uniform, along with the helmet of his father, Joe Mascali. Those now are in the team room for the Americans.

Bryan Robinson from FDNY Ladder 16 sang the national anthem as the large video board showed great moments in Ryder Cup history.

“I had this vision of doing that for about a year,” Bradley said. “And to be out there and see it, and see how emotional the guys got, was a really special time for our team.”

The Americans walked solemnly across the bridge from the first tee complex, headed to the practice area, then played 18 holes of the Black Course.

Team Europe spent two days at Bethpage Black a week ago and then dispersed – some to American homes, others playing some of Long Island’s best golf courses – until returning to Bethpage for what it expects to be a big challenge.

The Americans have lost at home only four times since the Ryder Cup began in 1927. European captain Luke Donald had his team wear salmon-colored pullovers or sweater vests, a subtle reminder of what can be done.

That was the Sunday color for the European team in 1987 when it stunned the Americans at Muirfield Village to win its first Ryder Cup away from home. Europe have won three more times on US soil since then, the most recent 13 years ago in what became known as the “Miracle at Medinah” because of the Sunday rally.

“That’s motivating to the guys that it can be done, it has been done, and again, we’re here to try and do it again,” Donald said.

Europe are coming off a resounding win at Marco Simone and return 11 of the 12 players from the Italy matches in 2023 – the exception is Rasmus Hojgaard, the identical twin of Nicolai Hojgaard, who played in the last Ryder Cup.

But the Europeans lost by nine points in 2021 at Whistling Straits, by six points at Hazeltine in 2016 and by five points at Valhalla in 2008.

“I think it’s always important to rally around something,” Donald said. “We always have things that we come up with that are important to us. History and our unity and celebrating what we’ve done in the past and the legends that have kind of come before us is really important.

“This is going to be a difficult challenge.”

There were not many surprises in the way Bradley grouped his three groups of four players for the only full practice round they play this week.

Justin Thomas and Cameron Young were together, as they were in the Procore Championship two weeks ago in Napa, California. Ben Griffin, one of four Ryder Cup rookies, was with Bryson DeChambeau, who was not in Napa because he’s with LIV Golf and thus ineligible for PGA Tour play.

Scottie Scheffler was with Russell Henley – they formed a tough partnership in the Presidents Cup last year at Royal Montreal – along with US Open champion J.J. Spaun and Harris English.

The final group had Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, partners for most team matches over the last six years, along with Sam Burns and Collin Morikawa, who won a fourballs match in Marco Simone at the last Ryder Cup.

Schauffele and DeChambeau have gone about a month since last competing. DeChambeau finished the LIV season on Aug. 24, and Schauffele missed the Procore Championship while at home with a newborn son.

The captains are good friends, both living close to each other in South Florida, and shared one sentiment about the Ryder Cup. As tense as it has become, the goal is to enjoy the week not knowing if the opportunity will come up again.

Bradley played in two Ryder Cups, the last one in 2014. He has not been back in any capacity until the 39-year-old who played college golf at St. John’s was named captain last year.

He felt that sentiment as his team gathered on the first tee to listen to Mascali.

“It was a powerful moment,” Bradley said. “You’re looking around and seeing all the guys staring at what we were doing and so into it in such an emotional way. A lot of people have worked really hard to get to this point in their lives.

“Sometimes in your life and in your career, you have to take stock in what’s happening around you,” he said. “I think one of my biggest regrets earlier in my career wasn’t enjoying things more. And for that moment out this morning, guys were really taking that in and enjoying it, and that was a beautiful thing.”

ISLAMABAD: US President Donald Trump will meet the leaders of Muslim countries Pakistan, ������Ƶ, UAE, Turkiye, Indonesia and others today, Tuesday, in a multilateral meeting at the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed.

Pakistan’s foreign office said on Sunday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would join “select” leaders of Muslim countries in a meeting with Trump at the sidelines of the UNGA. The foreign office had said both sides “would exchange views on issues pertaining to regional and international peace and security.”

The meeting takes place at a crucial time for the Middle East region as Israel ramps up its military operations in Gaza, where it has killed over 65,000 people since October 2023. Several Muslim nations have rallied against the Israeli forces and urged the international community to hold Tel Aviv accountable for the killing of innocent civilians.

“The president will also later in the day hold a multilateral meeting with Qatar, the Kingdom of ������Ƶ, Indonesia, Turkiye, Pakistan, Egypt, the UAE and Jordan,” Leavitt said during a press briefing on Monday. 

Pakistan’s PM arrived in New York on Monday to attend the 80th session of the UNGA, which takes place amid raging conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine and rising tensions in the South Asia region, from Sept.23-29.

Sharif’s meeting with Trump also reflects Pakistan’s improving ties with Washington. After years of strained relations during the Joe Biden administration over differences on several key issues, Islamabad and Washington have warmed up to each other during Trump’s ongoing tenure.

Pakistan praised the American president and nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize after he brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan on May 10. The militaries of the two nuclear-armed neighbors had engaged in the worst fighting between them since 1999, killing over 70 on both sides of the border before Washington intervened.

Pakistan’s ties with the US also improved after Washington’s relations with India took a turn for the worse when Trump announced trade tariffs against New Delhi earlier this year. Islamabad and Washington, on the other hand, finalized a trade deal.

Sharif, who is in the US to lead Pakistan’s delegation during the UNGA session, will draw the world’s attention to atrocities in Palestine and Kashmir, hold bilateral meetings with world leaders and senior UN officials and also attend key seminars and events.