Donald Trump's private talks with Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods chat, Bryson DeChambeau claim
Donald Trump is a huge golf fan and has played with some of the biggest names in the sport, including Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods.
In addition to his presidential duties, Donald Trump is becoming a significant figure in the world of golf. The President is an avid fan of the sport and has even opened his own courses in the US, Dubai and Scotland, as well as earning praise from golf icon Jack Nicklaus, who once said Trump "loves the game of golf more than he loves money."
He has rubbed shoulders with some of the sport's biggest names, such as Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau. Now, almost three years after the launch of LIV Golf, he is involved in efforts to unify the sport.
The Irish Star reported PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and player director Adam Scott met with Trump earlier in February. But helping to broker a deal between golf's established bodies and LIV Golf is far from his first brush with the sport's biggest names.
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Rory McIlroy allegiances
McIlroy has disclosed that he played golf with Trump prior to his inauguration. After their round, he said the President is "on the PGA Tour's side" in the ongoing dispute within golf.
At a press conference before the Genesis Invitational, McIlroy revealed Trump does not favour LIV Golf's 54-hole format. Not to mention LIV's preference for team and individual elements, as well as a shotgun start.
McIlroy - who first played golf with Trump in February 2017 - has since said he wouldn't team up with the President again, especially after questioning Trump's leadership during the coronavirus pandemic. Trump boasted prior to his re-election attempt that a deal between LIV and established tours "would take me the better part of 15 minutes" to sort out.
Responding to those claims, McIlroy said: "He might be able to! From the outside looking in I think it's probably a little bit less complicated than it actually is, but obviously Trump has a great relationship with Saudi Arabia, he's got a great relationship with golf, he's a lover of golf, so maybe. Who knows?"
Tiger Woods revelation
It was reported Trump took time off from his Super Bowl LIX preparations for a round of golf with Woods in Florida. Woods and son Charlie dropped by Trump International Golf Club in Palm Beach, located not too far from their journey's next leg in New Orleans.
Trump notably became the first incumbent President to watch a Super Bowl live. Yet his day began with the pleasure of golfing with one of the sport's greatest players.
The recent brush with McIlroy brought Trump into contact with one prominent figure in the war between the PGA Tour and LIV. And Woods - who previously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Trump - is another key figure on the PGA's side, who might have much to deliberate with the President.
Brushes with Bryson DeChambeau
Bryson DeChambeau's connection with Trump dates back to 2017 when they first played a round together. At that time, Trump was acclimatising to his presidential role, while DeChambeau was yet to clinch his first major championship.
Their paths have intersected multiple times since, often to public acclaim. Notably, DeChambeau was summoned onstage by Trump during his re-election celebration, indicating the high esteem in which he is held by the ex-President.
In their latest collaboration, Trump featured on DeChambeau's 'Break 50' web series in July 2024. Their episode racked up more than 11.7 million views and raised $250,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project.
DeChambeau expressed his admiration for Trump's golfing skills to Golf.com, saying: "Man, his iron play was great. I can't tell you the number of times he stuffed it on the green within 30 feet in regulation. His driver swing is the most repeatable thing I have ever seen. I wish mine was that repeatable. Really, I do."
