McIlroy takes swing at Trump over virus crisis

WORLD No.1 Rory McIlroy says there’s little chance he’d tee it up again with US President Donald Trump, criticising Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis.

McIlroy told the McKellar Golf Podcast that a more settled life away from the golf course had him feeling “more comfortable in my own skin” and able to voice opinions.

The 31-year-old from Northern Ireland, who has a home in Florida, has not been impressed with Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re in the midst of something that’s pretty serious right now and the fact that he’s trying to politicise it and make it a campaign rally, saying that (the United States) administers the most tests in the world ... It’s just not the way a leader should act,” McIlroy said.

Back in 2017, McIlroy was surprised at the “blowback” he received after accepting an invitation to play a round with the then-recently inaugurated president.

“I’ll sit here and say that the day that I did spend with him and others was very enjoyable,” McIlroy recalled.

“But that doesn’t mean I agree with everything – or, in fact, anything – that he says.”