Rory McIlroy played 18 holes with Donald Trump on Sunday in Florida.
McIlroy told NoLayingUp.com that he and the US President were part of a fourball along with Nick Mullen of International Sports Management and Rich Levine, a friend of Trump's. McIlroy received the request to play with Trump on Saturday night. He apparently rode in a golf cart with the 70-year-old for the round.
The Northern Irish golfer withdrew from the Abu Dhabi Championship last month due to a rib injury and has been out of competitive action since. He's planning a return to action at the WGC-Mexico Championship next week.
McIlroy said that Trump is a decent golfer, considering his age.
He probably shot around 80. He’s a decent player for a guy in his 70’s!
Trump and McIlroy were pictured by Clear Sports with their CEO Gary Singer along with former Yankees player Paul O'Neill at Trump International.
Big battle today at Trump International with Clear CEO Garry Singer @McIlroyRory @PaulONeillYES @realDonaldTrump Drain the putt... pic.twitter.com/AZJqEVtlBT
— Clear Golf (@ClearSportsGolf) February 19, 2017
McIlroy has already come in for criticism regarding his decision to play with Trump. Golf writer Lawrence Donegan called it 'pitiful'.
Pitiful. @McIlroyRory can spend his free time how he wants. And you and I can ask, why is he normalising this lying, racist scumbag? https://t.co/DKDb4Fa60N
— lawrencedonegan (@lawrencedonegan) February 20, 2017
I've no problem with @McIlroyRory choosing to stay out of Northern politics. But playing in his free time with Trump *IS* a political choice https://t.co/tOO2fiDVVi
— Dermot Looney (@dlooney) February 20, 2017
McIlroy does have a previous association with Trump. After McIlroy threw his three-iron into the lake in frustration at Trump National Doral in March 2015 at the WGC Cadillac Championship, Trump sent a scuba diver to retrieve the club.
He then presented it to McIlroy.
Donald Trump giving @McIlroyRory his 3-iron back @CadillacChamp. #PGATOUR pic.twitter.com/pKIGAY2Jpr
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) March 8, 2015
