President Trump yesterday became the "first sitting president to attend a Presidents Cup," watching the final round at Liberty National Golf Course, according to Chris Iseman of the Bergen RECORD. He "participated in the closing ceremony, where he dedicated the Americans' victory to hurricane relief victims." Trump "found support from the crowd," as he drew "loud cheers and some chants of 'U.S.A.! U.S.A.!' when he left the clubhouse and walked out to the 14th green for the closing ceremony" (Bergen RECORD, 10/2). In N.Y., Marisa Schultz noted the trophy ceremony was "largely a rowdy affair, with chants of 'USA' and the singing of 'God Bless America.'" However, one attendee yelled at Trump, "You don’t give a shit about Puerto Rico!" (N.Y. POST, 10/2).
A DAY AT THE LINKS: GOLF.com's Dylan Dethier noted Trump spent a "few hours inside former PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem’s hospitality suite," located in Liberty National’s "lavish clubhouse." The clubhouse is "composed largely of glass" so the setup "made for a strange spectacle in which the crowds were watching the president watch the golf." As players hit shots into the 14th green, "most fans’ eyes were trained on the window of the clubhouse." Trump, meanwhile, "chatted with a group of people" that included his son, Eric, Finchem, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and former N.Y. Mayor Rudy Giuliani's son, Andrew. Photographers "lined up adjacent the green, snapping pictures of Trump, apathetic to the golf being played behind them." It was a "reminder of the gravity and celebrity of the presidency." Just as Presidents Obama, Clinton, and Bush had "overshadowed Jack Nicklaus on Thursday," Trump made the whole crowd "forget about Justin Thomas." As players walked off the 14th green, they "looked directly up at the suite, and several acknowledged the president." The friendly crowd "seemed to put the president at ease, particularly on the heels of a couple weeks during which he has been at odds with the sporting world." The crowd on hand "cheered loudly when the president announced that he was dedicating the winning trophy" to hurricane victims (GOLF.com, 10/2).
PRESIDENTIAL TREATMENT: In N.Y., Kevin Armstrong noted fans "serenaded" Trump with an "a-capella, off-key rendition of 'America the Beautiful.'" They also chanted, "Ban the NFL!" One yelled, "Overpaid hypocrites!" Four "recited the Pledge of Allegiance before shouting, 'Hillary for prison!'" Trump "beamed, posing for photos and bouncing around." He "clasped hands" with Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. The Tour "knew how to tickle him, announcing that he was the first sitting President to hand out the cup." Armstrong notes the Tour is also "in business with the President." U.S. captain Steve Stricker said of having Trump attend, "It was a great thrill. This tournament is about respecting the office, respecting the President of the United States, whether your views may be one way versus another" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/2).
SUGGESTION BOX: GOLFCHANNEL.com's Rex Hoggard noted the U.S.'s 19-11 win "wasn’t the most lopsided loss in Presidents Cup history." But it "ignited a familiar conversation and concerns over how to make this event more competitive" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 10/1). In N.Y., Mark Cannizzaro wrote if the Presidents Cup is "even alive after the thrashing" that took place this week, it is "on life support at best." It has spun "so wildly out of control in its one-sidedness, you have to wonder about the future of this competition." The U.S. dominance is "killing" the event (N.Y. POST, 10/1). Also in N.Y., Karen Crouse suggested making the Presidents Cup a "combined-gender event in which the top six men and the top six women" from the U.S. "square off against their International counterparts." There is "no need to change the format of foursomes, four-ball and singles." The Presidents Cup is "in need of some radical rethinking to salvage it from the shiftless waters lapping its hull" (N.Y. TIMES, 10/2). In a GOLF.com weekly roundtable, SI's Jeff Ritter said he likes the "idea of making it a coed match, with six men and six women on each squad." Coed partners for foursomes and four-ball "would be cool, wouldn't it?" The Korean women could "swing the balance of power back to the International side" (GOLF.com, 10/2). SI's Alan Shipnuck wrote under the header, "It's Official: The President's Cup Is Dead. Here Are 8 Ways To Revive It" (GOLF.com, 9/30).
