Golf icon Rory McIlroy and US President Donald Trump have a somewhat chequered relationship. Despite the duo sharing the course in the past, the Northern Irish star has gone on record to disagree with the controversial commander-in-chief — and even avoided playing the 79-year-old on the golf course for a whopping eight years.
Time seems to have healed all wounds, however, as Trump bizarrely addressed McIlroy at Tuesday's state dinner in honour of King Charles and Queen Camilla. The golfer was on hand as a guest of the president alongside his wife, Erica Stoll, when Trump congratulated him on his recent Masters victory.
"This unconquerable courage, it really is, it's unconquerable. Speaking of that, where's Rory McIlroy? Stand up Rory, will you please?" Trump said in apparent off-the-cuff remarks. "That was unconquerable courage. That was very good, Rory. I don't know if that helps, talk about how wonderful in the speech, but I had to interrupt my speech, because I watched that man win a tournament, that was a tough one. Congratulations, very proud of you."
It hasn't always been plain sailing between the pair, however, to the point where McIlroy and Trump didn't share the course for years. In 2017, McIlroy was forced to defend himself after he played a round with the President.
After 18 holes in Florida, McIlroy was hit with backlash on social media. He then took to X to defend himself, while underlining his differences with the President. "I don't agree with everything my friends or family say or do, but I still play golf with them," he tweeted. "Last week, I was invited to play golf with the president of the United States. Whether you respect the person who holds the position or not, you respect the office that he holds."
McIlroy said that the game was "not an endorsement, nor a political statement of any kind", adding: "I've travelled all over the world and have been fortunate enough to befriend people from many different countries, beliefs and cultures. To be called a fascist and a bigot by some people because I spent time in someone's company is just ridiculous. I hope, to some degree, this clarifies my decision to accept the invitation."
In 2020, the two-time Masters champion even questioned Trump's leadership during the coronavirus pandemic, acknowledging he hadn't played golf with Trump for years. "I haven't done it since... out of choice," McIlroy said. "So I will sit here and say that day I had with him I enjoyed. But that doesn't mean I agree with everything, or, in fact, anything that he says. There's some stuff that just is terrible. It's not the way a leader should act. There is a bit of diplomacy that you need to show, and I just don't think he's showing that, especially in these times."
Fast forward to 2025 and McIlroy spoke with Trump about stalled PGA Tour-LIV Golf talks as they took to the course again. McIlroy praised the President's powers of persuasion, seemingly striking a different tone to years earlier. "It was really good. I thought we had a good discussion," McIlroy told AFP news agency. "I learned he's not a fan of the LIV format. I was like, 'But you've hosted their events'. He was like, 'Yeah, but it doesn't mean that I like it'. So I think he's on the [PGA] tour's side. There's a few things that he can do. He can be influential. He loves the game of golf … I think whenever he says something they listen and I think that's a big thing."
McIlroy hasn't played since winning the Masters in early April but is expected to play at the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow in early May. He will then turn his attention to the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club outside of Philadelphia.
