Former President George W. Bush attends Walker Cup practice round at Cypress Point

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — It has become common place for former President George W. Bush to attend Walker Cups in the United States.

That's why it was no surprise he walked the last few holes of Team USA's practice round Friday morning at Cypress Point Club, host of the 50th Walker Cup.

The competition is named after Bush’s maternal great-grandfather, George Herbert Walker, a former USGA president. Walker donated the Walker Cup trophy in 1921 to the USGA, and it has represented the biennial bout between the United States and Great Britain & Ireland ever since.

In the past home Walker Cups of 2013, 2017 and 2021, Bush has attended the event and spent time with the U.S. team. He was back Friday at Cypress Point, ranked No. 1 on Golfweek's Best list of Classic Courses in the U.S., and even joined in on hitting a couple putts while watching some of the top amateurs in the world take on one of the world's most famous courses.

"It's his literal namesake," said Stewart Hagestad, who has now seen the former President at three different Walker Cups. "It's the Walker Cup at Cypress Point; it's an opportunity to represent your country, to spend time with one of the great leaders of our country. To do it with such a great group that you've kind of spent time competing with for the last couple years, as I said, it's a dream come true."

Bush is also expected to deliver remarks during Friday's opening ceremony, which begins at 8 p.m. ET.