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President Donald Trump continued his presence at major golf events by making a second appearance at the Presidents Cup as the honorary chairman, hoping to inspire the USA to a comeback win against the International team in the Chicago suburbs.
It is Trump’s fourth visit to a golf tournament this year, with his presence at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage also notable and sparking a wild atmosphere on the first tee of the Black Course.
And after appearing at the 2017 Presidents Cup at Liberty National during his first term, Trump returned at Medinah Country Club, whipping up the home support in pursuit of victory after a 10.5-7.5 entering Sunday, with 15.5 points set to hand victory for the visitors.
Unlike regular golf tournaments, the first tee is boisterous with a flag-waving crowd and music. The U.S. team is trailing for only the fourth time in 32 years of the competition.
Before the horseshoe-shaped grandstand was filled, the loudest buzz was Air Force One flying over Medinah, louder than any of the commercial airlines that have been flying over the course every 70 seconds throughout the week during descent to O’Hare International Airport.
CEO of PGA Tour Brian Rolapp speaks as U.S. President Donald Trump stands on the first tee with the Presidents Cup trophy (Getty)
“They were nice enough to name me chairman or honorary chairman, so it’s an honor. It’s a very big event, one of the biggest events in golf by far,” Trump told reporters Sunday morning as he left the White House. “You have the Ryder Cup, and you have the Presidents Cup, and this is a big one, and so it’s a great honor. So, I’m going there.”
It’s a traditional role offered to leaders of every country where the tournament is played.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as CEO of PGA Tour Brian Rolapp looks on (Getty)
The Presidents Cup began in 1994 to include international players from non-European countries who were not eligible for the more famed Ryder Cup. The name of the tournament comes from including the head of state of the host country to be honorary chairman.
Then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was part of the trophy presentation at the last Presidents Cup in 2024 at Royal Montreal.
President Bill Clinton was in office in 2000 when he attended for one round at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia. The first time Trump attended in 2017, the start of the week was the biggest display of presidents when Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama sat together on the first tee for the opening round.
Trump this year was at the Cadillac Championship at his Trump National Doral near Miami in early May. He also attended the LIV Golf event at his Trump National Bedminster course in New Jersey in August.
Earlier this month he attended the Irish Open over the weekend at his course in Doonbeg, Ireland.
“You’ll be seeing the best players, the best golfers anywhere in the world. It’s going to be great,” Trump said when he landed at O’Hare. “I think for those of you that don’t play — you’ll get it. It’s tremendous power, touch, everything else.”
Associated Press contributed to this report