Rory McIlroy has had his fair share of run-ins with US President Donald Trump
Chris Burns Senior Sports Writer
14:22, 30 Apr 2026Updated 14:28, 30 Apr 2026
Rory McIlroy and Donald Trump(Image: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Golfing legend Rory McIlroy and US President Donald Trump share a rather complicated history. While the pair have previously teed off together, the Holywood man has publicly challenged the divisive leader’s views – and remarkably steered clear of playing alongside the 79-year-old for eight years.
It appears time has mended fences, though, as Trump unexpectedly singled out McIlroy during Tuesday’s state dinner honouring King Charles and Queen Camilla. The golfer attended as the president’s guest with his wife, Erica Stoll, when Trump praised him for his recent Masters triumph.
“This unconquerable courage, it really is, it’s unconquerable. Speaking of that, where’s Rory McIlroy? Stand up Rory, will you please?” Trump said in what appeared to be impromptu comments. “That was unconquerable courage. That was very good, Rory.
“I don’t know if that helps, talk about how wonderful in the speech, but I had to interrupt my speech, because I watched that man win a tournament, that was a tough one. Congratulations, very proud of you.”, reports the Mirror.
Relations between the two haven’t always been smooth, though, with McIlroy and Trump avoiding the fairways together for several years. Back in 2017, McIlroy found himself having to justify his decision after playing a round with the President. After completing 18 holes in Florida, McIlroy faced criticism on social media. He subsequently defended himself on X, while highlighting his disagreements with the President. “I don’t agree with everything my friends or family say or do, but I still play golf with them,” he tweeted.
“Last week, I was invited to play golf with the president of the United States. Whether you respect the person who holds the position or not, you respect the office that he holds.”
McIlroy clarified that the round was “not an endorsement, nor a political statement of any kind”, adding: “I’ve travelled all over the world and have been fortunate enough to befriend people from many different countries, beliefs and cultures.”
“To be called a fascist and a bigot by some people because I spent time in someone’s company is just ridiculous. I hope, to some degree, this clarifies my decision to accept the invitation.”
Back in 2020, the two-time Masters winner had even criticised Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, revealing he hadn’t played golf with Trump for years.
“I haven’t done it since… out of choice,” McIlroy said. “So I will sit here and say that day I had with him I enjoyed,” McIlroy said. “But that doesn’t mean I agree with everything, or, in fact, anything that he says.”
“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.” Come 2025, McIlroy found himself back on the fairways with Trump, this time discussing the stalled PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger talks. McIlroy appeared to have warmed considerably to the President’s ability to broker a deal, striking a notably different tone from years gone by.
“It was really good. I thought we had a good discussion,” McIlroy told AFP news agency. “I learned he’s not a fan of the LIV format. I was like, ‘But you’ve hosted their events’. He was like, ‘Yeah, but it doesn’t mean that I like it’. So I think he’s on the [PGA] tour’s side.”
“There’s a few things that he can do. He can be influential. He loves the game of golf … I think whenever he says something they listen and I think that’s a big thing.”
Since claiming his Masters triumph in early April, McIlroy has been absent from competitive golf, though he is widely expected to tee it up at the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow in early May, before shifting his focus to the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club, just outside Philadelphia.
Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the latest sports news, headlines and top stories