WHILST RORY MCILROY was making history over at Congressional, the US president and the de facto leader of the Republican opposition laid aside partisanship to triumph on the 18th hole at the Joint Andrews Air Force Base course outside Washington yesterday.

At a much anticipated golf summit, Barack Obama and the speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner teamed up to defeat vice president Joe Biden and Ohio’s Republican Governor John Kasich on the 18th hole, with the winning partners each pocketing a $2 prize.

The question now is whether a partnership forged on the tees, fairways and greens of a military base course can yield success in the policy arena. Obama and Boehner find themselves on opposite sides of everything from deficit reduction to the military campaign in Libya.

Aides to both men played down the chances of deals being struck on the par-72 East Course at Joint Base Andrews, but acknowledged the outing could improve a relationship that is respectful, but hardly close.

Tee time for the foursome was 9.30am. The White House made a rare exception and allowed the press to watch Obama and his playing partners finish the first hole, a par 5 . Biden was cool under pressure, sinking a 15- to 20-foot putt.

“Did you all catch that?” Obama shouted to reporters gathered near the green.

The president sank a short putt after missing a 12-footer. Kasich, a former congressman, missed a 30-footer, then tapped in for par. Boehner, one of the best golfers in Congress, gave a hearty “Oh yeah!” after draining a short putt.

Obama, who is not in Boehner’s links league, patted the speaker on the back as they headed toward the second hole, the president driving their cart.

After wrapping up the match, the foursome headed to the clubhouse, where they had a cold drink and talked with service members. They also caught some US Open action as McIlroy blitzed his rivals at the Congressional Country Club in Maryland.

- with reporting from AP