Donald Trump may be the 47th President of the United States but in his heart of hearts he wants to be a professional golfer.
He’s ‘leader of the free world’ and the greatest at everything in the world ever (according to himself), but he’d give anything to lift the famous Claret Jug or put on a green jacket in real life, and not just because he bought replicas.
Winning a Major is not something Trump is likely to achieve, although we won’t rule this out totally given the current crazy state of the world.
In the meantime, to fuel his passion, Trump ploughs pots and pots of cash at his favourite sport. This is demonstrated in all the golf clubs he owns around the world – 18 at the last count, all bearing his name at the start.
When he’s not playing golf or visiting his golf clubs, Trump talks about golf. He believes he is an authority on the subject and is no stranger at naming dropping the great and the good from the sport. He’s bezzie mates with all of them it seems.
Trump was quick to make a video call to the winner of the recent Nexo Championship, Grant Forrest; a tournament that was hosted at his newly reopened Trump International Golf Links Aberdeen.
Unsurprisingly, because being the US President means you have lots of free time, Trump made the call to a stunned Forrest while playing golf himself at Trump International in Washington DC.
“Your name’s going to be on the board for a long time Grant,” Trump said in the call, shared on X by the DP World Tour.
“I watched it, he’s some player. I look forward to playing with him – in fact I will play with him tomorrow if he could get on a plane.
“Get on a plane and come over here Grant.
“We all watched you play. We just came out, what a round of golf. What three rounds of brilliant golf.
“Your swing is great and it’s a great honour you won, thank you very much.”
Forrest is just one name in a long list of professional golfers that Trump is happy to praise. If you’ve swung a club and won something, Trump will eventually swoop in.
Here are some of the big-name golfers that Trump has tipped his MAGA cap to over the years.
Arnold Palmer
In October 2024, Trump talked about the seven-time Major winner for a full 12 minutes, even taking the unusual step of discussing his manhood.
“There were a few golfers that you could say may be slightly better, a few, not many,” Trump said. “But there was nobody that had his magic.”
“This is a guy that was all man.
“He took showers with the other pros, they came out of there, they said, ‘Oh my God, that’s unbelievable.’
“I had to say it. I had to tell you the shower part because it’s true.”
Tiger Woods
Woods announced he was in a relationship with the President’s ex-daughter-in-law, Vanessa Trump in March 2025. A union that has since been blessed by the US Commander-in-Chief.
“He told me about it, and I said, ‘Tiger, that’s good, that’s good.’ I’m very happy for you both. Just let them both be happy. Let them both be happy. They’re both great,” Trump said.
Vanessa divorced Donald Trump Jr. in 2018 after a 12 year marriage. She seems to be still rocking the Trump name, though Vanessa Pergolizzi doesn’t have the pizzazz for her socialite brand name does it?
Trump and Woods appear to have a close relationship, the 15-time Major winner has visited the Oval office and they play golf together.
Trump still believes that Wood can close in on Jack Nicklaus’ 18 majors record.
“I was playing with him last week,” Trump said in February 2015. “I think he’s got a couple of Majors left…. maybe more than that.”
Rory McIlroy
The Northern Irishman was blessed by Trump’s praise after winning the Masters at Augusta, as he became the sixth golfer ever to win the career Grand Slam.
“I have to congratulate Rory,” Trump said onboard Air Force One. “That took tremendous courage. He was having a hard time, but it showed great guts and stamina, and courage.
“People have no idea how tough that is. He came back. It’s better for him that it happened that way because that showed real courage to have come back from what could’ve been a tragedy – it was amazing.”
Scottie Scheffler
Trump backed his “friend” Scheffler to win the Masters in April 2025, hardly the wildest of punts. Although he made sure he covered a few bases when asked who would win the tournament.
“They’re all friends of mine. They have some great ones. Scottie Scheffler’s great. Bryson [DeChambeau] is great. Justin Rose, they’re all friends of mine.”
Bryson DeChambeau
Trump and MAGA supporting Bryson DeChambeau reportedly have a close relationship, with the president also calling him the “best player in the world “.
During a round of golf with DeChambeau, at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey, he heaped praise on the US Open winner.
“I feel great. I feel like I have the best player in the world right now,” Trump said. “He’s a winner, he knows how to do it.”
This is not the first time Trump has praised DeChambeau, congratulating him after winning the US Open in 2024.
“Congratulations to Bryson DeChambeau on his incredible WIN of the United States Open! ” he posted on Truth Social. “He showed a toughness and inner strength, matched perfectly with his GREAT Golfing Talent, that can never be denied!
“Under massive pressure, he pulled off some of the greatest shots ever made, especially his spectacular sand save on the 18th Hole that gave him the Victory.”
Gary Player
Golf legend Gary Player has also come under Trump’s admiring gaze.
“The great Gary Player, winner of over 150 golf tournaments, and 9 Majors, plus many tournaments and Majors on the Senior Tour,” posted Trump on his Truth Social alongside a picture of himself with the golf legend.
“Based on his incredible record, only Tiger and Jack, two truly incredible champions, would be in his way.
“A big birthday is coming up for Gary, but I won’t say which one, because he seems like, and plays, 30 years younger. HE IS A VERY SPECIAL MAN!!!”
Trump has claimed a golfing victory over a member of the Player family, which he made sure was reported to the media.
“Gary Player’s grandson was defeated by the president of the United States today,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.
READ MORE: The biggest presidential fitness comeback ever: Trump and DeChambeau launch historic plan