Barack Obama Makes Solheim Cup Visit To Cheer On Team USA
The former President of the USA was introduced to the crowd on the first tee before the Friday afternoon four-ball session at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club


The 2024 Solheim Cup saw hosts the US race into a 3-1 lead after the Friday morning foursomes session at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. If Stacy Lewis’ team needed any further motivation to continue the good work in the afternoon four-ball matches, they got it from an appearance by former US President Barack Obama.
The 44th POTUS was introduced at the first tee to a rapturous reception from the home fans at the Virginia course, where he applauded and acknowledged the crowd as he greeted Lewis with a handshake before shouting, “Come on! Let’s go USA!”
Barack Obama is at the Solheim Cup🇺🇸pic.twitter.com/0DCMmZcFCVSeptember 13, 2024
Obama’s appearance wasn’t a complete surprise as he is known as a huge golf fan and has been a member of the club since 2017. He also met the US team at its pre-Solheim Cup dinner earlier this week.
Before the match, members of Team USA spoke about their visit from Obama at the dinner. Megan Khang said: “Honestly, it was just super cool to have a past president kind of show up to team dinner. It's pretty incredible he took time out of his day to come meet all of us. I know he plays out of here, so just the appreciation for the time he gave up to come see us is incredible."
Nelly Korda said: “To add to that, he knew all of our names too, and he congratulated all of us on all of our success as well.”
Alison Lee added: "I think it just shows how much golf brings people together. To see him there, and we see him on TV in the past, he was our former president, and to see him kind of connect with us and relate to us in a way, I think is really, really cool and something that only golf can bring.”
Barack Obama appeared for the Friday afternoon four-ball at the Solheim Cup
Obama, who served as President between 2009 and 2017, also has a history of meeting and greeting previous US Solheim Cup teams.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
In 2010, Beth Daniel's successful team from the year before was greeted by Obama at the White House, while the honor was repeated for Juli Inkster’s team in 2015 after its win in Germany earlier that year.
While Obama is naturally rooting for his home nation as the US attempts to claim the trophy for the first time since a 16.5-11.5 triumph in Iowa in 2017, it wasn’t just members of the Team USA contingent he had time for. European players were also seen taking advantage of a photo opportunity with the 63-year-old, who was more than happy to accommodate them.

Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
Hye-Jin Choi Facts: 10 Things To Know About The LPGA Tour Pro
Hye-Jin Choi had a glittering amateur career, and she’s taken that into her professional journey, with a host of wins – here are 10 things to know about her
By Mike Hall
-
Yan Liu Facts: 10 Things To Know About The LPGA Tour Pro
Yan Liu has been making solid progress in her professional career – here are 10 things to know about the LPGA Tour golfer
By Mike Hall
-
Chevron Championship Prize Money Payout 2025
Nelly Korda won her second Major at the 2024 edition of the Chevron Championship
By Mike Hall
-
12 Big Names Who Missed The Cut At The Chevron Championship
The first women's Major of 2025 is at its halfway stage and, heading into the weekend, a number of notable players failed to reach the two-over-par cutline
By Matt Cradock
-
What Is The Cut At the Chevron Championship?
The first of five women's Majors of the year, what do players need to do make the cut at the Chevron Championship?
By Paul Higham
-
Yani Tseng Won Five Majors Putting Right-Handed, But Now She's Flipped Sides - Here's Why...
A dominant force in the women's game 15 years ago, Tseng has lost her way since and is now employing a "last resort" putting tactic in order to play well again
By Jonny Leighfield
-
Nelly Korda Looking At Another Putter Switch After Shooting 77 in Chevron Championship
World No.1 Nelly Korda was almost in tears after her first-round 77 at the Chevron Championship, and was looking to instantly make another change of putter as a result
By Paul Higham
-
Chevron Championship Tee Times: Round Four
Hae Ran Ryu and Mao Saigo share the lead with one round to play at The Club at Carlton Woods
By Mike Hall
-
Charley Hull Social Media Video Reveals Brutal Weather Conditions Ahead Of Chevron Championship
Charley Hull has added a video to her Instagram stories showing strong wind and heavy rain in Texas ahead of the first women's Major of the year
By Mike Hall
-
How To Watch Chevron Championship Final Round: Live Streams, TV Channels, Schedule
All the details on how to watch Chevron Championship online and on TV from anywhere, as the first women's Major of 2025 takes place at Carlton Woods this week.
By Roderick Easdale