Donald Trump and Sir Nick Faldo have been close for years (Image: Getty)
Sir Nick Faldo has shed light on his enduring relationship with Donald Trump – a friendship so strong that the US President once chose to ring Faldo before speaking with Tiger Woods. Trump – now apparently in need of a new “best friend” following a very public falling-out with Elon Musk – has long had a deep enthusiasm for golf and like many fans, he admired Faldo’s dominance during the 1980s and 1990s.
Their connection dates back many years, well before Trump ventured into politics, and has remained firm ever since. “[He calls me] Nicky,” Faldo told The Telegraph, referring to the nickname Trump has always used. The six-time major winner also recalled how Trump would unexpectedly ring to discuss golf results. “‘Nicky, how did he blow that tournament? You wouldn’t have done that, Nicky. You’d have done this, you’d have done that, Nicky,'” he said, mimicking the 78-year-old.
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“Over 10 years, that happened two or three times a year out of the blue… When the president of the United States wants to talk majors, you answer,” he added.
As a measure of how close they are, Faldo said Trump rang him in shock before he called Woods after his famous win at the Masters in 2019. Faldo, who was live on air with CBS at the time, didn’t take the call right away.
He told a colleague: “Tell him that I’m busy, I’m on with [Jim] Nantz!” He later rang Trump back and gave him a friendly telling-off, explaining: “I’ve got Donald saying, ‘Nicky, Nicky, how did he (Tiger) win this? How did he win this? How did he do that?’
Trump phoned Faldo before ringing Woods after the Masters in 2019 (Image: Getty)
“I go back, ‘Do you realise that I’m live on flipping TV! Do you mind!’ So my claim to fame is that he called two golfers on that day, and Tiger was second.”
Faldo says Trump is always quick to answer whenever he phones – sometimes just for a laugh when someone brings up Trump’s name in conversation.
Their unusual bond began over a decade ago at Trump’s Turnberry course, where Faldo was part of a playful stunt that saw him tee off a golf ball balanced in the mouth of a Trump impersonator lying flat. In 2013, Trump hired Faldo to revamp the Red and Gold layouts at his Doral resort in Miami. At the time, Faldo described their working relationship as “entertaining” and “delightful.”
Faldo says Trump answers the phone whenever he calls (Image: Getty)
His wife, Lindsay De Marco – a former dancer and vocal Trump supporter – has added to their closeness by frequently posting her political support online.
The couple even attended a Trump campaign rally last year, where the Republican politician singled Faldo out as “a major friend of mine, one of the best ever” and praised his knighthood. Trump also joked about Faldo entering politics himself, saying: “I’d like to bring him into government.”
Faldo now lives on a farm in Montana and has embraced American rural life, praising the country’s “great attitude.” By contrast, a recent visit to Eton High Street reportedly left him disillusioned with the current state of Britain.
Faldo and his wife, Lindsay De Marco, are big Trump supporters (Image: Getty)
His friendship with Trump is often rekindled at the latter’s Bedminster golf course in New Jersey, frequently dubbed the ‘Summer White House,’ where Trump is known to arrive by helicopter before hitting the fairways.
Despite the controversies that follow Trump, Faldo remains loyal. Their relationship, grounded in their mutual passion for golf, has proved as resilient and long-lasting as Faldo during his peak golf years.
The 67-year-old, who won three Open Championships and three Masters between 1987 and 1996, is still regarded as the UK’s most decorated golfer since the First World War – though Rory McIlroy, with five majors, is close on his heels.
