By Illinois Review
President Donald Trump received a hero’s welcome at Medinah Country Club this weekend, presiding over the Presidents Cup as honorary chairman Sunday in Chicago’s western suburbs.
Before landing at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, Air Force One flew low over the famed DuPage County golf club, giving thousands of spectators a rare up-close view of the presidential aircraft soaring above the course.
Security surrounding the president’s visit was extraordinary. Spectators underwent TSA-style screening around the first tee, while Secret Service personnel maintained a heavy presence throughout the grounds.
Fighter jets also patrolled the Chicago area as temporary flight restrictions were enforced during Trump’s visit. NORAD later confirmed that fighter jets intercepted multiple aircraft that entered restricted airspace over the Chicagoland skies.
But once Trump appeared at the first tee, the security operation quickly gave way to a much louder scene.
Thousands of spectators greeted the 45th and 47th president with cheers and chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” and “Four more years!” as Trump waved, pointed to supporters and pumped his fist toward the crowd. While scattered boos could be heard, multiple accounts from the course reported they were largely drowned out by cheering.
Introduced by PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp, Trump kept his remarks brief.
“You know the fake news media will say I got a very bad reception,” Trump joked before telling the crowd that the country was “doing great.” He then explained that golf fans had come to watch the world’s best players – not listen to a lengthy presidential speech.
Trump remained near the first tee as players from both the U.S. and International teams began Sunday singles, shaking hands, signing hats and interacting with golfers and fans. Later, he returned for the closing ceremony, posing for photographs and handing out presidential challenge coins to Team USA players and their significant others.
The president also witnessed history.
The Americans entered Sunday trailing the International Team by 3 points before staging the largest final-day comeback in Presidents Cup history. Team USA captured nine of the twelve singles matches, with another halved, to storm back for a 17-13 victory and an 11th consecutive Presidents Cup title. Jacob Bridgeman delivered the clinching point by defeating Min Woo Lee on the 18th hole.
U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker later credited Trump with bringing energy to the team, saying the president had promised earlier in the day that he would provide a boost.
“I told him if we did this, he gets all the credit,” Snedeker said. “So thank you, President Trump.”
Trump then presented the trophy to the victorious American team, congratulating players and helping cap a dramatic day at Medinah.
The president departed Chicago around sunset aboard Air Force One and arrived back in Washington later that evening. After landing, Trump told reporters he was heading directly to the White House for a 10 pm dinner meeting.
Sunday marked Trump’s second appearance at a Presidents Cup as honorary chairman. He previously served in the role during the 2017 competition at Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey.
