The rumor became reality on Friday at the Women’s U.S. Open.
Women’s golf has long waited to be in the world spotlight and on an overcast New Jersey afternoon, the President of the United States made history — attending a women’s USGA event for the first time.
It helps that the course bears the President’s moniker — Trump National Bedminster.
POTUS showed up on he grounds at 3:40, went to his private residence on site, then went around 5:20 p.m. to watch from a special spectator box at the 15th green that gave him a view of the last four holes.
President Donald Trump returned from the G20 meetings in Paris to a swarm of controversy stirred by his son Donald’s meeting with a Russian attorney during the Presidential campaign.
But the President’s focus was on the women’s golf as the field fought its way through rains that finally subsided later in the afternoon.
It was a long day for the players — they went from sunrise to sunset and finally go the tournament back on schedule. The 36-hole cut came at two-over and some world class players won’t be around for the weekend — namely Ariya Jutanugarn (seven-over), who missed a second straight cut and Inbee Park (seven-over). Michelle Wie went out early and played just one hole. Her neck pain forced her to withdraw.
Trump may want to keep an eye on 36-hole leader Shanshan Feng from China. She is eight-under par and has a two-shot lead over three players. She’s also friends with the Chinese President.
Amy Yang is one of the three at six-under.
Hye Jin Choi was in that group and she’s a 17-year-old amateur who has put together rounds of 69-69. She’s the second-ranked women’s amateur in the world.
World’s No. 1 So Yeon Ryu is four off the lead after shooting 70-69.
To find an American player, look at three-under par and you’ll find Marina Alex (71-70).
She’s tied with Brooke Henderson from Canada and Lydia Ko.
Stacy Lewis and Cristie Kerr were in at two-under par, Lexi Thompson will start her third round seven back at one-under.
They played through rain and cooler temperatures for most of the day. The rain let up by mid-afternoon.
In the meantime, they’ll play on Saturday in front of POTUS.
2 Comments
RM
Sounds from the post as if Trump perhaps stayed on point by focusing on the golf. Hopefully everyone involved will keep their attention and comments there without stirring up politics and controversy. Hopefully.
Tom Edrington
The good news is that Trump’s appearance brought so much attention to women’s golf. When was the last time everyone was talking about a women’s golf tournament? Never. He watched from his private box. Lexi Thompson visited with him after her Saturday round. She and her family are friends of the President as she has played and practiced at his West Palm Beach club for many years.