Donald Trump spent his Thanksgiving morning on the golf course and his afternoon updating his championship tally – claiming his collection of golf titles increased from 36 to 38.
During a holiday press gathering at Mar-a-Lago, Trump once more described himself as a scratch golfer and highlighted a win over a 27-year-old opponent he characterized as “a plus-three” in a Thanksgiving call with military personnel – during which he revealed the death of a National Guard member who was shot near the White House on Wednesday.
Trump’s golf championship assertions reignited discussion about his golfing record, which was branded a “100% lie” in Rick Reilly’s 2019 book Commander in Cheat, an in-depth examination of everything from the president’s handicaps to tournament involvement.
Trump remained steadfast, maintaining every title was authentic because “you have a lot of people following you during club championships.
“I’ve won 38 club championships, and I don’t get to practice much,” said Trump, who, back in August, stated he had won 36 club titles. “I beat a 27-year-old kid last year. The fairway doesn’t know how old you are. When you’re walking up the middle, and he’s in the rough, age doesn’t matter.”
Just hours before Trump headed to the golf course for a Thanksgiving round, two National Guard members were shot in Washington, D.C. – with one, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom, tragically losing her life, Trump announced on the call.
The troops were part of a deployment ordered by Trump in August to address crime in the nation’s capital. Trump also characterized the incident as a “terrorist attack” and criticized the Joe Biden administration for permitting Afghans into the country.
The suspect in the shooting is reported to be an Afghan national who previously served alongside U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
However, when questioned about his golfing abilities, Trump described himself as “around scratch or better,” praised his performance under pressure, and emphasized his appearance with Bryson DeChambeau on the LIV Golfer’s Breaking 50 YouTube series. He also stated that Biden’s previous claim of a six handicap made him “angry” and insisted that Biden “can’t hit a ball 30 yards.”
The president proclaimed that club championships “are our majors,” and that most people “won’t play in them.” He additionally noted that all of his victories required no extra handicap strokes at the tournament’s outset.
Reilly reported that Trump routinely plays the initial round solo whenever he inaugurates one of his golf courses, declaring it the club championship, and having his name inscribed on the wall.
Trump’s golfing portfolio encompasses seven public courses, 10 private courses, and four resorts. Prominent personalities such as Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Anderson, Suzann Pettersen, Alice Cooper, Oscar De La Hoya, and Mike Tirico have all publicly accused Trump of cheating during games.
Reilly highlighted several online videos that seem to show Trump’s caddies helping him find better positions during matches.
