JERSEY CITY, NJ - SEPTEMBER 28:  (L-R) Former U.S. Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton attend the trophy presentation prior to Thursday foursome matches of the Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club on September 28, 2017 in Jersey City, New Jersey.  (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

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Obama, Bush and Clinton kick off Presidents Cup in New Jersey

All five living former presidents also joined forces for hurricane relief

Washington CNN  — 

Former US Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton kicked off the Presidents Cup golf tournament in New Jersey on Thursday – the first time three former presidents attended the biennial tournament.

Their appearance together follows a joint effort by the five living former presidents to support hurricane relief efforts.

The Presidents Cup, which runs through Sunday, features American golfers playing against an international team in a series of 30 matches. Obama, Bush and Clinton participated in the opening ceremony at the first tee to mark the beginning of the matches, which are taking place at Liberty National Golf Course in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Former Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama appeared in a video Sept. 8 to ask Americans to respond to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Harvey. Their effort was expanded later to include relief for areas affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.