The Turnberry round, part of a trip that included trade talks with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, saw Trump play with his son Eric and US Ambassador Warren Stephens.
Photo : AP
During a weekend trip to Scotland, President Donald Trump played 18 holes at his Trump Turnberry golf course on July 26 and 27, 2025, but a viral video has ignited controversy. The clip, captured during his Saturday round, shows a caddie in a red vest tossing a ball into the light rough near a bunker, seemingly improving Trump’s lie before he exited his golf cart. The incident has fueled accusations of cheating against the 79-year-old president.
Sports writer Rick Reilly, who has played with Trump, told The Spun by Athlon Sports that Trump’s golf habits include taking multiple mulligans and even claiming unearned chip-ins, suggesting he “cannot lose” and will “do anything to cheat.” However, one observer noted on X that the caddie’s action could be a permissible “drop” in a casual “Best Ball” game to speed up play, not a formal rule violation. Golf’s drop procedure involves releasing a ball from knee height in specific relief situations, like an unplayable lie, per USGA rules.
Cheating Allegations and Context
Reilly’s claims paint a broader picture, alleging that Trump declares himself club champion at new courses after playing alone, per The Spun by Athlon Sports. The video, showing the caddie’s suspicious drop, aligns with past criticisms, including Reilly’s book Commander in Cheat, which details Trump’s alleged tactics like not counting misses. Trump, who claims a 2.8 handicap, has boasted of numerous club championships.
The Turnberry round, part of a trip that included trade talks with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, saw Trump play with his son Eric and US Ambassador Warren Stephens. While Trump called Turnberry “the best resort in the world,” the course hasn’t hosted an Open Championship since 2009 due to infrastructure issues, a Daily Mail report revealed. The viral clip, however, has shifted focus to his on-course conduct.
The video has divided viewers, with some joking about Trump’s focus on golf amid trade negotiations, one quipping, “Trump working hard to bring down grocery prices.” Others, like Scottish Green Party leader Patrick Harvie, criticised Trump’s visit, calling him a “political extremist,” per CNN Politics. Protesters in Edinburgh rallied against his presence, though Trump remained out of sight at his resorts.
Trump’s love for golf, evident since his college days, has long been scrutinised, with past players like Mick Mulvaney noting his competitive edge. The Turnberry incident, while not conclusive proof of cheating, might just add to a narrative of questionable sportsmanship.
