Former U.S. President Donald Trump, 80, has once again found his golf achievements under scrutiny, with a recent club championship victory and a past hole-in-one claim drawing accusations of foul play. Trump, who opened his first golf course, the Trump International Golf Club, in 1999, has long been a prominent figure in the golf world, owning 18 courses globally.
Bedminster victory and a disputed hole-in-one
Trump recently declared victory at the Bedminster Club Championship, claiming a score of 70. This triumph, which he suggested marked his 43rd club golf championship win, was swiftly met with accusations that he cheated to secure the title, according to GiveMeSport.
These allegations follow a similar pattern to a hole-in-one claim Trump made in 2022 at his West Palm Beach club. Trump detailed the shot, stating, “I hit a 5-iron, which sailed magnificently into a rather strong wind, with approximately 5 feet of cut, whereupon it bounced twice and then went clank, into the hole.”
Notably, professional golfers Ernie Els, Gene Sauers, Ken Duke, and Mike Goodes were playing with Trump during the incident. While a video posted by his former communications director, Taylor Budowich, on X (formerly Twitter) showed Trump picking the ball out of the hole, there was no video evidence of the shot itself. Tim Swain also posted a picture of Trump with the pros on X.
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Long history of accusations and denials
The latest claims are not isolated incidents but rather a continuation of a long-standing narrative surrounding Trump’s golf integrity. American sportswriter Bryan Marsal’s 2019 book, ‘Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump,’ delves into numerous alleged antics. Marsal even claimed Trump told him directly, “I cheat.” Marsal further suggested that Trump’s approach to the game is rooted in a belief that others will cheat him too, recalling an instance where Trump allegedly said, “I expect you to cheat because we’re going to beat those two guys today.”
Similar questions were raised in 2016 by former boxing champion Oscar De La Hoya. De La Hoya alleged that during a round, Trump hit his ball into the bushes, only for it to mysteriously appear on the green close to the hole. Trump, however, vehemently denied these claims, telling The Associated Press in May 2016 that he respects the game too much to cheat. He also asserted, “I have never played a round of golf with this guy.”
According to CBC Sports, Trump clarified that De La Hoya played at Trump National in 2010 in a celebrity match for the “Donald J. Trump’s Fabulous World of Golf” show, where Trump walked with the players but did not participate. Lili Amini, Trump National’s general manager, corroborated this, stating she had never seen her boss play with De La Hoya. Trump also countered De La Hoya’s specific claim about a water hazard, noting there is no water on the first hole at Trump National.
Despite the persistent accusations, Trump remains an avid golfer, describing himself as a low handicapper and citing recent rounds with LPGA tour player Lexi Thompson. He has consistently defended his integrity, stating, “Golf is an important thing and I felt I had to say something.”
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