JERSEY CITY — President Donald Trump arrived at Liberty National Golf Course on Sunday and became the first sitting President to present the Presidents Cup trophy, which he dedicated to hurricane relief victims.

Trump's address to the crowd came after he watched the final hours of the tournament from the clubhouse, which overlooked the 14th green, where the closing ceremony was held.

"On behalf of all of the people of Texas and all of the people, if you look today and you see what’s happening, how horrible it is, but we have it under really great control. Puerto Rico, and the people of Florida, who have really suffered over this last short period of time with the hurricanes, I want to really just remember them," Trump said. "We’re going to dedicate this trophy to all of those people that went through so much that we love, really a part of our great nation."

In a tweet earlier in the day, Trump attacked "politically motivated ingrates" who were not recognizing the progress his administration was making in helping Puerto Rico recover.

Trump has also bashed San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz for her criticisms of the response to the recovery efforts.

But Trump found support from the crowd on Sunday, as he drew loud cheers and some chants of "U.S.A.! U.S.A.!" when he left the clubhouse and walked out to the 14th green for the closing ceremony.

Trump, whose motorcade arrived at 3 p.m., congratulated both teams before presenting the Presidents Cup trophy to Steve Stricker, captain of an American team that rolled to a 19-11 victory.

"I just have to say these people, they’re special people," Trump told the crowd. "They are born and then they work incredibly hard on this incredible talent. They really are, they’re very talented, talented folks. Really, they are people that have good hearts."

After the ceremony, Trump, who had spent the weekend at his golf club in Bedminster, gathered with members of the American team and their families, posing for photos and congratulating them for their victory.

After he arrived on Sunday, Trump watched the final hours of the Presidents Cup from behind protective glass in the Commissioner's Suite in the clubhouse.

Players waved in his direction as they walked off the 14th green, and Trump responded by waving or pumping his fists.

"I thought it was a great opportunity for us to be with him," Stricker said. "And this tournament is about respecting the office, respecting the president of the United States, and whether your views may be one way versus another, that wasn't what it was about there on the green. It was about us getting together as a team, playing for one another, playing for the U.S.A. And it was a great thrill for all of us to get the trophy handed to us from him."

There had been speculation during the week that Trump would attend the Presidents Cup at some point, but it didn't become official until Sunday.

Trump's presence on Sunday came after former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton attended on Thursday and participated in the opening ceremony.

This was the second time that Trump has attended a golf tournament since taking office. In July he was at the U.S. Women's Open, which was held at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster.

Email: iseman@northjersey.com