Rory McIlroy criticizes President Donald Trump in podcast interview

The world’s number one golfer, Rory McIlroy, has criticized President Donald Trump prior to this weekend’s TaylorMade Driving Relief event

Ahead of this weekend’s TaylorMade Driving Relief event, the world’s top-ranked golfer, Rory McIlroy, is criticizing President Donald Trump, someone whom McIlroy has played golf with in the past.

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In the interview, which was done for the McKellar Journal, McIlroy discussed playing golf with Trump in February of 2017 and why he elected to play with the President at the time. He also discussed why he hasn’t done it again.

"“I haven’t done it since,” McIlroy said. “Out of choice.”"

That’s because McIlroy faced quite a bit of backlash on social media for playing a round with Trump at the time. McIlroy said he did play originally out of respect for the office, not because he wanted to play with Trump, necessarily.

It’s not that the experience of playing with Trump was bad for McIlroy. In fact, he says, it was much the opposite.

"“So, I will sit here and say that day I had with him I enjoyed,” McIlroy said, adding that Trump was personable and that he treated everyone well."

However, his comments from there were much more critical of the sitting President.

"“That doesn’t mean I agree with everything – or, in fact, anything – that he says,” McIlroy said."

McIlroy was especially critical of Trump’s handling of the current coronavirus pandemic. McIlroy was turned off by how Trump seemed to be competing with other countries on the issue testing.

"“Like it’s a contest,” McIlroy said. “There’s some stuff that just is terrible. It’s not the way a leader should act. There is a bit of diplomacy that you need to show, and I just don’t think he’s showing that, especially in these times.”"

When the hosts, Scottish golf journalists Lawrence Donegan and John Huggan, asked the 31-year-old if he would play with Trump again, McIlroy answered honestly.

"“I don’t know if he’d want to play with me again after what I just said,” McIlroy said. “I know it’s very self-serving of me to say no, and if I don’t, then it means I’m not putting myself in position to be under scrutiny and that I’m avoiding that. But no, I wouldn’t.”"

Next. Skins Match is Great Idea for Fans, Charity and Viewing Public. dark

McIlroy will partner with Dustin Johnson in Sunday’s made for television event at Seminole Golf Club. The pair will face Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff in four-ball, skins event, with charitable donations to be made to the American Nurses Association and the CDC Foundation, both of which are helping to battle the current pandemic.

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