Rory McIlroy once offered rare insight into his interaction with Donald Trump, revealing that the two shared a round of golf during a pivotal moment in early 2025.
The conversation, which took place before Trump’s inauguration, came at a time when golf’s ongoing divide between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf remained one of the sport’s biggest talking points.
McIlroy has been one of the most vocal figures in that debate, making his interaction with Trump particularly noteworthy.
It was not just a casual round, but one that touched on the future of the sport.
Rory McIlroy reveals details of golf round with Donald Trump
Speaking in an interview reported via The Irish Times, McIlroy explained how the conversation unfolded and what he learned during their time together.
He said, “I said, ‘You’ve hosted their events?’ but he said, ‘It doesn’t mean I like it’. I think he’s on the tour’s side. The president can do a lot of things, he has direct access to Yasir [Al-Rumayyan]’s boss, not many people have that.
“Not many people can say ‘I want you to get this deal done, and by the way, I’m speaking to your boss later, I’m going to tell him the same thing.'”
The remarks suggest that Trump expressed alignment with the PGA Tour during their discussion, despite his previous involvement in hosting LIV Golf events.
McIlroy’s account highlights how influential figures outside the sport could still play a role in shaping its direction.
Rory McIlroy highlights Donald Trump’s influence in the global golf landscape
McIlroy also spoke about Trump’s broader influence, particularly in regions that have become central to golf’s shifting landscape.
The two-time Masters champion added, “He can be influential, he loves golf, I was playing with a Sheikh Hamdan of Abu Dhabi the day he got elected in November, the respect he has in the Middle East, I don’t think people understand the respect he has there, so I think whenever he says something they listen, so that’s a big thing.”
The comments reflect McIlroy’s view that Trump’s connections and standing, especially in the Middle East, could carry weight in discussions surrounding the sport’s future.
At a time when golf’s structure continues to evolve, influence at that level is seen as a potentially significant factor in shaping outcomes.
While the round itself may have seemed informal, the conversation that took place during it underlines how interconnected golf, business and global relationships have become in recent years.
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