Every so often, a small moment at a big event ends up getting more attention than the event itself. That's what happened at this year's Presidents Cup, where a brief meeting between Donald Trump and Adam Scott set off a fresh round of online debate.
Trump was at Medinah as the event's honorary chairman, a role that traditionally goes to the sitting U.S. President. Over the course of the day, he was seen meeting several players. When he crossed paths with Scott, the two shook hands firmly, and Trump used his well-known "grab and tug" move as the Australian stepped toward him. He then leaned in and said something quietly to Scott before the golfer moved on.
The conversation itself wasn't what people picked up on. It was the visual. In footage that spread quickly across social media, Trump and Scott looked to be standing at nearly the same height.
What the numbers say
The official figures don't quite match what viewers saw. Scott is listed at 6 feet. Trump, on the other hand, has repeatedly said he is 6-foot-3. If both claims were accurate, the president should have stood noticeably taller. Online, many people felt the clip told a different story.
It's not the first time the question has come up. An earlier photo showing Trump next to Prince William, who is also listed at 6-foot-3, had already sparked similar chatter. In that picture, Trump appeared clearly shorter than the British royal.
Delays and frustration at Medinah
Trump's visit also had a practical impact on the day. Heavy security measures caused significant delays around Medinah Country Club on Sunday, leaving fans and staff frustrated as the final round unfolded.
A dramatic American comeback
On the course, the story was about something bigger. Team USA came into Sunday behind 10.5-7.5, but staged a remarkable turnaround led by Justin Thomas, Cameron Young and 21-year-old Jackson Koivun.
After the win, U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker was quick to mention the president. Speaking to NBC Sports, he said Trump had told him he planned to bring energy to the team, and Snedeker said that if the Americans pulled it off, Trump deserved the credit. He also thanked the president directly.
Snedeker takes the blame for earlier struggles
Snedeker didn't stop at praising others. He also owned up to the team's earlier deficit, saying it came down to his own decisions. He admitted he had mishandled the matchups and the snake draft earlier in the week, and said the Sunday pairings were the first ones he got right.
He also pushed back on criticism of his squad. He said he was tired of hearing that the players weren't close or couldn't play team golf, and argued that the comeback proved otherwise. Before the final round, he told his players that Medinah has a history of strange things happening, and by the end of the day, he was proven right.
The takeaway
Between the height debate, the security delays and the comeback itself, this Presidents Cup gave people plenty to talk about. The height question will likely fade, but the American fightback and Snedeker's candid remarks are the parts of the day that will be remembered.
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