Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, is a passionate golf aficionado. Recently, a story involving his golf caddy has stirred up quite the discussion, adding fuel to the already blazing allegations of Trump’s less-than-sporting conduct on the golf course.
Trump: Golf Enthusiast and Course Owner
At age 78, Trump is not only a fervent golfer but also a significant figure in the golfing community. Owning 16 golf courses across the globe, with a dozen situated in the United States, he has deeply invested in the sport. Even during his tenure as President, juggling heavy duties such as enforcing trade tariffs, he frequently made time for golf. Reports highlighted that during his second term, Trump spent 18 of his initial 69 days at the helm golfing, costing U.S. taxpayers over $26 million for these excursions.
While some professional golfers commend his skills on the course, others raise eyebrows over his claims and conduct during play.
Persistent Accusations of Rule-Breaking
Throughout his life, Trump has faced numerous allegations of bending the rules while playing golf. Some notable accusers include actor Samuel L. Jackson and boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya, who have both publicly asserted that Trump is prone to stretching the rules to gain an upper hand in the game.
One notorious incident occurred in 2023 at a golf tournament. Despite being absent for half of the event due to attending a funeral miles away, Trump declared himself the tournament winner. Remarkably, he insisted that his score from an earlier practice round be counted as part of his tournament performance.
Insights from Rick Reilly’s Experiences
Rick Reilly, an experienced sports writer, shares several anecdotes regarding Trump’s golf antics. Through his book, “Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump,” Reilly unfolds various tales from Trump’s golf counterparts capturing his unpredictable methods on the course.
As someone who has teed off with Trump multiple times, Reilly states that Trump must emerge victorious in every game. He notes that around 90% of the companions he quizzed affirm that Trump cheats brazenly during golf without a hint of embarrassment.
Caddy’s Startling Disclosure
A particularly stunning tale from Reilly’s book involves Trump’s caddy and a group of famous American football figures: Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, and Ron Jaworski. The group, while having a friendly match, witnessed an unbelievable occurrence centered around Tirico’s impressive shot on a par 5 hole.
In what was an extraordinary hit, Tirico’s caddy celebrated the fantastic shot by high-fiving him. However, upon their arrival at the green, they found his ball inexplicably stopped in a bunker approximately 50 feet from the pin, contrary to the ball’s expected resting place.
Alleged Ball-Toss Incident
Trump casually dismissed it as a “lousy break,” yet Tirico’s caddy revealed an astonishing truth. The caddy recounted how he saw Trump allegedly execute an unanticipated move: he reportedly picked up Tirico’s ball, which lay near the hole, and threw it into the bunker.
The caddy whispered to Tirico, “You know that shot you hit on the par 5? It was about 10 feet from the hole. Trump tossed it into the bunker. I saw him do it.”
Tirico, recognizing the situation for what it was, opted not to confront Trump. Instead, he chose to continue the game, footing his losses without contest.
