President Trump attended the Presidents Cup: What his visit looked like

MEDINAH, Ill. — U.S. President Donald Trump attended the final day of the Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 27. From 10:58 a.m. to 1:16 p.m. local time, he watched matches and spoke with PGA Tour officials, players, captains and fans.

The visit was accompanied by enhanced security measures. Fans and media members going to the first hole passed through metal detectors. Secret Service agents were stationed near the first tee and monitored the area. Air Force One flew over Medinah at about 9:20 a.m.

PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp introduced Trump. The president spoke for just over a minute and urged the crowd to focus on golf.

“You know the fake news media will say I got a very bad reception. But we got a good reception. We love what we’re doing. Our country is doing great.

“Now Brian said, ‘Could you make a short speech?’ And I said, ‘No, I don’t have the courage to make a speech. These people want to see golf. They don’t want to hear speeches.’

“I’ll only say this. Our country is doing great, better than ever before. I want to watch the greatest players in the world go out and play, and play your hearts out. It’s going to be an interesting day of golf. Thank you, everybody. Thank you. I love you,” Trump said.

The first singles pairing was Ryo Hisatsune of the International Team against Cameron Young of the U.S. Team. Trump and Rolapp spent most of the day standing near the presidential seating area beside the first tee and greeting participants. Trump shook hands with all 24 players and later put on a white hat embroidered with “USA.”

The president also spoke with U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker, International captain Geoff Ogilvy, vice captains, caddies and players’ wives. He listened to speeches by special guests and former players Hal Sutton and Lee Trevino. “However it turns out, golf has won,” Trevino said.

Trump spent most of the nearly two-hour stretch talking with Jim Furyk. They discussed golf; Trump plays the game and owns golf properties. One of them, Trump International Doral, hosted a PGA Tour event this year.

There were also moments with fans. Before Chris Gotterup teed off, one spectator shouted, “Love you, Donny,” prompting a smile from Trump. Before Jackson Koivun started, another fan yelled, “We love you, Trump,” and Trump waved. Three times, Trump signed items that were returned to fans by a member of his security team.

Various media outlets also reported protests against Trump’s visit outside Medinah.

At about 12:53 p.m., Trump briefly danced to the music that had been playing throughout the day. By then, the stands were less than half full. He went inside at 1:16 p.m.; the final group had started two minutes earlier. At 1:26 p.m., Trump left the first-tee stands, where a black Cadillac was waiting.

After the U.S. victory in the Presidents Cup, Trump appeared on the 14th green during the trophy ceremony and shook hands with every U.S. player and the captain.

The article was written by Nick Piastowski for GOLF.com.