Donald Trump has found himself embroiled in yet another alleged cheating scandal after he proudly announced clinching yet another championship at his Florida club. Taking to Truth Social last weekend, Trump proclaimed his triumph: “I just won the Golf Club Championship, probably my last, at Trump International Golf Club, in Palm Beach County, Florida.
“Such a great honor! The Awards dinner is tonight, at the Club. I want to thank the wonderful golf staff, and all of the many fantastic golfers, that participated in the event. Such fun.”
Skepticism regarding Trump’s prowess on the links has dogged him for years, with sports writer Rick Reilly being a vocal critic. Following Trump’s latest announcement, the former Sports Illustrated columnist ridiculed the victory on social media platform X, implying disbelief.
“Really? That’s amazing, sir!” Reilly doused his reply with sarcasm, further lambasting the culture at Trump’s club, including veiled swipes at compliant caddies and a “spineless pro.”
“Congrats to you, the caddies who kick your ball out of the rough,” Reilly jibed.
“The stoolies who let you win or get thrown out of the club, the spineless pro at your club who doesn’t want to get fired, and the 100s of feet of gimmies you give yourself! Bravo!” Not shy to challenge Trump’s claims, Reilly has often cast doubt on both the former President’s sporting narratives and his integrity.
The author penned a scathing book titled ‘Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump’ back in 2019, detailing the allegations against the President. Reilly consistently brands Trump as a cheat on the golf course, stating: “To say Donald Trump cheats is like saying Michael Phelps swims,” and adding, “He cheats at the highest level. He cheats when people are watching and he cheats when they aren’t. He cheats whether you like it or not. He cheats because that’s how he plays golf … if you’re playing golf with him, he’s going to cheat.”
Despite this, Trump reportedly boasts an impressive 2.8 handicap.
Trump’s influence extends beyond leisurely rounds; he’s been roped in by PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan to assist in negotiations with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF). The aim is for Trump to help resolve the ongoing dispute between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, leveraging his connections within the sport’s recent contentious split.
