BEDMINSTER, N.J. — Lexi Thompson, the highest-ranked American in the women’s rankings, at No. 3, was preparing to hit her third shot, from just off the green, on the par-5 15th hole at Trump National Golf Club on Friday when she noticed that most of the fans in her gallery had their backs turned to her.
Thompson knew that could mean only one thing — her occasional playing partner in South Florida, President Trump, had arrived at the United States Women’s Open. He was back from a diplomatic trip to Paris and was making his way to the makeshift fishbowl of a suite adorned with red, white and blue bunting that had been erected for him at the course, which he owns.