President Donald Trump became the first sitting president on Sunday to award the Presidents Cup trophy to the winning side since the competition began in 1994. Trump was on hand for several hours as the United States team, captained by Steve Stricker, finished off the formality of beating the International team for the 10th time in 12 tries.
Trump took the microphone before presenting the biennial trophy to the American side, saying the trophy win would be dedicated to the victims of hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.
On behalf of all of the people of Texas, and...if you look today and you see what's happening, how horrible it is but we have it under really great control, Puerto Rico. And the people of Florida who have really suffered over this last period of time with the hurricanes," Trump said.
"I want to just remember them, and we're going to dedicate this trophy to all those people who went through so much, that we love, that are part of our great state, really a part of our great nation."
Trump then handed the trophy to the American captain, and the team celebrated. Trump remained for a while longer to shake hands with players, vice-captains, wives and girlfriends.
Tiger Woods remained in the back of the American team scrum behind Trump during the ceremony and, by reports, avoided Trump until he was approached by the Commander-in-Chief. Woods designed Trump World Golf Club in Dubai, which is set to open next year. Similar to the golf course once bearing his name in Puerto Rico, Trump's company doesn't own the club but has a licensing agreement to use Trump's name and manage the club for a flat fee and percentage of operating profits.
Woods and his camp distanced themselves from any connection with Trump in a statement to Sports Illustrated for a July story.
"Tiger is not in partnership with Mr. Trump or his organization and stating otherwise is absolutely wrong," the statement said. "Tiger Woods Design's contract and obligation is to the developer, Damac Properties. Our association ends there. I can't put it any clearer than Tiger Woods Design does not have an agreement with Mr. Trump."
When asked after the ceremony about sharing the trophy presentation moment with the president, the American team stumbled to come up with an answer before Jordan Spieth deferred to Stricker, who the three-time major winner said would speak for the U.S. team.
The Trump administration has been heavily criticized for its lack of preparation for Hurricane Maria's landfall on Puerto Rico despite more than a dozen predictions of its devastating effects on the U.S. territory. Trump has gotten into a Twitter spat with San Juan mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz after she pleaded with the federal government for a speedier response and more resources to help her citizens survive.
