Rory McIlroy has been nursing a rib injury, but his popularity may have been hurt even more after he played a round of golf with U.S. President Donald Trump last weekend.
McIlroy, no stranger to criticism after he skipped the 2016 Rio Olympics due to the Zika virus, is getting roasted on social media after teeing up with Trump at Trump International in South Florida.
According to No Laying Up, McIlroy rode in a cart for 18 holes with Trump.
The report quoted McIlroy’s take on the president’s round: “He probably shot around 80. He’s a decent player for a guy in his 70’s!”
But as so often happens with Trump, there are conflicting reports on the round.
This story says McIlroy played 18 holes w/ POTUS Sunday, directly contradicting what WH told reporters https://t.co/mojJjyUDki https://t.co/QEVUhJ2smR
— Mike Memoli (@mikememoli) February 20, 2017
CBS reports White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee offered more information: In a statement Monday, Sanders responded to the discrepancy by saying Mr. Trump had “intended” to play just a few holes but ultimately stayed longer
“As stated yesterday the President played golf. He intended to play a few holes and decided to play longer,” she said. “He also had a full day of meetings, calls and interviews for the new [National Security Adviser], which he is continuing today before returning to Washington, D.C. Tonight.”
Trump was critical of the amount of time his predecessor, Barack Obama, spent on the golf course during his two terms in the White House.
Meantime, McIlroy is taking a lot of heat. Here’s a sample:
I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation for Rory McIlroy’s round of golf. #Trump was probably asking him how to improve his lie.
— Fachtna O Ceallaigh (@Fachtna_Kelly) February 20, 2017
Rory McIlroy has played a round of golf with Donald Trump ……and Jesus wept pic.twitter.com/VFXFGXjtoX
— Mary K Burke (@MKBurke1) February 20, 2017
#Trump beat #RoryMcIlroy 10&8 and went on to smash Kim Jong Il’s record 38 under round, despite using borrowed clubs and a Dunlop 65i…
— Ray Kane (@raykane) February 21, 2017
Rory McIlroy didnt play in the olympics cos he didnt want ppl to hate him , but he plays golf with donald trump .Good one rory #rorymcilroy
— jimmy morgan (@jimmymo78647603) February 20, 2017
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