When Donald Trump shows up to watch golf at a course that bears his name, it’s never just about the golf. Sunday at Trump National was equal parts sporting event, campaign rally, and very expensive afternoon in the sun.

LIV Golf tournament — spectators cheered the arrival of President Trump in scenes that blurred the line between sport and spectacle

3rd LIV EVENT AT A TRUMP PROPERTY

$25M TYPICAL LIV PURSE

48 PLAYERS COMPETE IN LIV FIELD

There is no version of this story that is just about golf. The moment Donald Trump stepped onto the grounds of Trump National Golf Club Washington D.C. to take in a LIV Golf tournament, the crowd made sure of that. Cheers rolled through the gallery. Phones went up. For a few seconds, the actual golf happening somewhere on the back nine was entirely beside the point.

This is the thing about LIV Golf and Trump — they found each other at exactly the right moment and have been mutually beneficial ever since. LIV needed legitimacy, or at least buzz, after its chaotic launch. Trump’s properties needed high-profile events. The arrangement works for both, even if the PGA Tour, the broader golf world, and a fair number of traditional fans would rather not talk about it.