The US Ryder Cup team meet President Bush in the Oval Office of the White House
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The victorious United States Ryder Cup team received the ultimate accolade when they were invited to the White House in Washington by president George W Bush, who told them that he followed 'every minute' of the victory over Europe.
Seven of the team were joined by Captain Paul Azinger and assistant captain Raymond Floyd when they met President Bush in the Oval Office alongside Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. It was one of Bush's last officials engagements before he makes way for Barack Obama in January.
"This was the icing on the cake for me and the players," said Azinger, who revealed he'd been three times previously.
"I was really proud of what the players accomplished in front of 600 million TV viewers around the world. It was a great honour to have the President invite us, and to show how much he cared for and followed our team."
Azinger presented the President with a red Ryder Cup shirt, sleeveless pullover and souvenir golf bag. Stewart Cink gave him a jar of pickles.
Chad Campbell, Ben Curtis, Jim Furyk, J.B. Holmes, Hunter Mahan and Boo Weekley were the others players who met the President. Afterwards Weekley said: "Wow! I can't believe that I was able to walk through this son-of-a-gun [White House]."
"There's so much stuff here, so many pictures and so much history. I was honoured to meet the president. He's like one of us. The only thing that would top off this year any better for me would be to go out and get me a big deer. I'm headed to Missouri and Illinois to do some hunting."
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