Obama, Bush, Clinton give Presidents Cup executive buzz

Obama, Bush, Clinton give Presidents Cup executive buzz



Former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton were all smiles as they attended the Presidents Cup in New Jersey.

The trio posed for photos with players and wives on each team during the opening ceremony on Thursday.

Obama was sporting a pair of dark shades as he flashed his signature smile and shook hands with some of the players.



Each former president also wore their Presidents Cup polos to the event.

It was the first time three US presidents have attended the matches at the same time since this event began in 1994, named after the highest office in the land.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump, who equally loves golf, had his hands busy with the 70th anniversary of the National Security Council, which took place in Washington, DC.



The 12th Presidents Cup between the US and an International team began in raucous but light-hearted fashion in front of the past three presidents at Liberty National.

A packed crowd in the grandstands, surrounding the first tee, warmly greeted Obama, Bush and Clinton, all whom are keen golfers, who entered via a tunnel and took their seats to the right of the first tee.

Singer-songwriter Darius Rucker then sang the US national anthem as the American team members stood about 50 yards away down the fairway.



American veteran Phil Mickelson then stole the show by walking over and shaking hands with the three former presidents and taking a selfie.

Ceremonies over, it was down to golf, with the US defending the Presidents Cup against an International team of players from the rest of the world, excluding Europe.



South African Charl Schwartzel had the honor of hitting the first shot in the opening foursomes match, in which he partnered Japan's Hideki Matsuyama against Americans Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler.

A group of about 40 International 'fanatics' -- mainly Australians and South Africans supporting the visiting team -- mischievously chanted: 'Justin, you've got two first names, Justin you've got two first names' as Thomas stood on the tee.



Obama, after shaking hundreds of hands and having a long chat with US assistant captain Tiger Woods, departed after the third match started but Bush and Clinton stayed until the end.

Clinton even had a few words with the media after the last match had teed off, talking about the difficultly of the first hole and the best way to play it in a strong wind.