Cameron Young praised Donald Trump after he won the Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral in Miami, angering some of the president’s critics. (Watch the video below.)
But just what Young meant is getting the once-over by fans of all stripes on social media.
Politics: Trump Squeezes In Round Of Golf Before Returning To ‘Put Out Fires’
The winner got applause, a thumbs-up and later a handshake from the president after his six-stroke victory.
He summed up his feelings to the press.
“He’s nothing if not a very, very interesting man,” Young said in a clip that’s gone viral. “He’s very powerful, and it’s an honor to get to play in front of him. Hugely grateful to him and his family and his organization that has these beautiful properties and allows us to come and play great golf tournaments on them. This is a special place and great championship golf course, and I’m thankful to have it back in the schedule.”
The remarks drew outrage from some fans, and a few even suggested they would withdraw their support of Young.
Others said the words were careful swings at diplomacy to stay out of the political rough.
Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost.
One moment on the course definitely seemed to separate the pro from the president, however.
Young called a 1-stroke penalty on himself for inadvertently causing a still ball to move on the fairway.
Politics: Harry Enten Flags ‘Oh My’ Moment For Trump With His Own ‘Infatuated’ Base
Trump isn’t exactly known for his forthrightness on the links. He was the subject of a book called “Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump.” The author, famed sportswriter Rick Reilly, said Trump cheats on the course “like a mafia accountant” and that club championships he claims are as “fake as Velveeta cheese.”
The Washington Post noted that the tournament, which was the PGA Tour’s first at Trump National Doral in a decade, was “more sparsely attended than other PGA Tour events, potentially because of Trump’s involvement, the intermittent rain on Sunday, and the absence of some top players such as reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy.”
The official reason Trump National Doral had not hosted a tour event since 2016 is sponsorship problems, but the Post asserted the uproar over Trump’s denigration of immigrants, particularly Mexicans at the time, couldn’t be ignored.
Related…
Read the original on HuffPost