Champion Lydia happy to hit the greens with Trump
She’s swung a club with Eric Trump and she’s putted with Donald Trump Jr – and their father is a big fan of Lydia Ko, too.
Despite other golfing superstars copping a lot of criticism for playing a round with US president Donald Trump, Lydia Ko says ‘‘it would be an honour’’ to hit the golf course with the US Commander in Chief.
‘‘He’s the president of one of the biggest countries in the world, so it would be a fun thing,’’ says Ko, who contests the US Women’s Open at Trump National in New Jersey this week.
‘‘I think – if it happened – it’s not like you’re playing with the President of the United States; I think it would just be two people who love the game of golf.’’
While it is unknown whether he plans to attend the tournament, Trump is an avid golf fan – and documented admirer of Ko.
The 71-year-old watched Ko play in the British Women’s Open at his Turnberry Golf Club in Scotland in July 2015 – and met her during the tournament.
Trump talked up Ko’s ability as a golfer with Time magazine.
Ko – a two-time major winner – isn’t the only professional golfer open to a few hours on the links with Trump, who has drawn constant criticism for his frequent golf games since taking office.
Since his election, the US President has played with a number of top male and female golfers including Rory McIlroy, Ernie Els, Tiger Woods and Lexi Thompson.
While his passion for golf is undoubted, Trump’s advocacy for women is disputable. Recent tweets have seen him attack a female television news host, while the leaking of the infamous Access Hollywood tape last October indicated a history of sexist behaviour towards women.
After the tape was released, three Democratic senators called – unsuccessfully – on the United States Golf Association (USGA) to move this year’s US Women’s Open away from Trump National. The tournament is set to begin on Tuesday, NZT.
Ko acknowledges the unusual political nature of the coming week, but says her focus is on golf.
‘‘I think a lot of people are making it a very political statement,’’ Ko said.
‘‘But at the end of the day, the thing is as players, we’re trying to play the biggest major championship – and that’s the US Women’s Open. I think we’re all excited to play.
‘‘Every US Open you get to play, you learn so much from it and there’s such huge experiences that you get from it . . .
‘‘Some people are going to look at in a very political perspective, but for us as players, I think we’re just excited to play the US Women’s Open at a really good golf course.’’ He’s the president of one of the biggest countries in the world, so it would be a fun thing.