Donald Trump hits a tee shot in the course of the pro-am at LIV Golf’s Team Championship.
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DORAL, Fla. — Donald Trump was late.
The former President had the 9 a.m. tee time on the LIV Golf pro-am at his Doral course on Thursday however didn’t seem till two minutes previous the hour. No biggie, although. That’s one of many perks if you personal the place.
About 20 followers had been gathered by the tee when Trump arrived in a Trump-branded golf cart. Strapped to the again was a nondescript golf bag with “Trump 2024” stitched into its facet. The President’s title was additionally sewn onto the emblem on his chest and into again of his crimson MAGA hat. He greeted his first teammate of the day, Brooks Koepka, like an outdated pal. (Sergio Garcia performed the second 9 with Trump.) They’ve performed collectively earlier than; Brooks is aware of the deal. Filling out the foursome within the scramble had been one in all Trump’s sons, Eric, and Trump’s 15-year-old granddaughter, Kai.
The course is called Trump National Doral, and is one in all Trump’s 16 golf properties. It’s one of the best course on the planet for event golf, Trump says, behind solely his programs in Scotland and Washington D.C. Trump by no means lacks for bluster, however Doral is inarguably a effective take a look at for skilled golfers. The PGA Tour visited right here for 45 years earlier than backing away from the Trump model throughout his 2016 marketing campaign.
Donald Trump’s 15-year-old granddaughter, Kai, joined Trump’s pro-am group on Thursday.
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There’s at the very least one factor you should love about Trump’s game — and which greater than excused his tardy arrival — and that’s the pace at which he performs. It can be arduous to play a lot sooner. Trump hiked up his slacks to bend over and stick a tee within the floor, and earlier than you may pull out your cellphone to snap an image, his ball was within the air.
“That’s somewhere in our genetics,” Eric instructed me. Trumps play quick.
“I enjoy it, I can promise you that. I’m not a big fan of slow play,” Koepka mentioned after the spherical.
As Trump’s opening shot reached its apex, he was already choosing up his tee. He nearly by no means watches the ball attain its vacation spot. If he’s not sure about the place it wound up, he’ll ask his caddie. But he was certain about that first tee ball.
“You think Biden can do that?” Trump requested the group of onlookers. “I don’t think so.”
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Bluster once more, sure, however he’s certainly proper. President Biden can’t try this.
The pro-am atmosphere is a cushty setting for Trump, who has lengthy been accused of getting an off-the-cuff relationship with the principles. He hit at the very least one ball right into a water hazard on the entrance 9 — he was coping with a little bit of a short-right miss — however no must take a drop from there. He simply performed on from the place his granddaughter’s ball was sitting. Kai, it ought to be famous, has one of the best swing within the household and it isn’t close.
Like Trump or not, he’s nonetheless probably the most well-known golfer on the planet, even when his 2.5 handicap is now nothing greater than a conceit index. (He has posted only one rating since being sworn into workplace greater than 5 years in the past.) Trump’s transfer, in photograph or video kind, has been seen by, what, billions of individuals? His swing is flatter than most and he takes it again about three-quarters of the way in which. Eric’s transfer is comparable. They each hit it low. The elder Trump managed the tempo of the greens nicely all through his entrance 9, however made nothing. His accompanying assist workers reminded him “a lot of good putts don’t go in.”
At LIV’s occasion at Trump’s New Jersey course earlier this 12 months, the President’s presence was nicely documented. He hung round for the weekend, talked to execs, took pictures with followers, watched together with Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Green and in the end earned extra consideration than what was taking place on the course.
Thursday at Doral was not that, as a result of no followers had been permitted on-site, simply pro-am household and associates, resort friends and a couple of dozen secret servicemen in polos. (The weekend at Doral gained’t be that, both, as a result of Trump isn’t sticking round.) The few spectators who hoofed it via the dewy Bermuda grass in felt-like-90-degrees warmth — nicely, one can think about which method they leaned politically. One had a photograph of Trump embedded into the again of her cellphone case. Another was an occasion staffer who paused his upkeep cart to shout to Trump on the fifth tee:
“Trump, you’ve got my vote in 2024! You’ve got my vote in 2024! If I don’t see you there it’s gonna be a problem.”
One of the 50 or so folks following alongside FaceTimed the motion to his household, broadcasting Trump’s each transfer in play-by-play. Another massive Trump fan arrived when the group reached the eighth fairway: Majed Al Sorour, the managing director of LIV Golf, the top of the Saudi Golf Federation and likewise a director of Newcastle United Football Club. Al Sorour is a busy man, however throughout LIV occasions he makes time to press flesh.
“Mah-zheed!” Trump mentioned as they shook arms and hugged.
“I hit it straight,” Trump mentioned. “I hit good drives. I hit good irons. I putt good. I think I have a pretty good game.”
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The Trump relationship with Saudi Arabia is a vital and complex one, politically, and it additionally has implications for the golf world. LIV Golf is backed by Saudi’s Public Investment Fund. Al Sorour’s boss is the supervisor of that fund. Trump has opened up a number of programs for LIV’s use. A Saudi fund invested $2 billion within the non-public fairness agency of Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. “They’re good people with unlimited money,” Trump mentioned Thursday.
Trump, who has been within the information after the Jan. 6 committee subpoenaed him to testify, heard a wide range of questions from reporters at Doral, together with about whether or not he may run for workplace once more, or if he would marketing campaign with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
I used to be extra keen on what Trump thinks of his game. Could I squeeze a bit humility out of the previous President? He’s a strong participant however not with out weaknesses. All golfers have them. Trump had simply made par on the seventh gap when he stopped to signal some hats which are in style with a major a part of the voting public.
“It’s 460 yards,” he instructed his followers of the outlet he’d simply completed. “You think Biden can do that? I don’t think so. I don’t think he can hit it 30 yards.”
I jumped in to ask, “What’s the best part of your game?”
“It’s all good,” Trump mentioned, head down as he signed.
About a minute later, I attempted once more.
“What are your strengths and weaknesses on the golf course?”
“I hit it straight. I hit good drives. I hit good irons. I putt good. I think I have a pretty good game.”
A half hour later, Trump reached the tenth tee, the place Garcia was ready to take the baton from Koepka. With a brand new crowd assembling, Trump hit one other good tee shot and delivered the identical Biden quip.
Anyone who had been there on the first tee may need rolled their eyes. Or possibly they cherished it.
Feel free to share your ideas with the writer at sean.zak@golf.com.
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