Trump sorry for Langer vote claim

PRESIDENT Donald Trump called Bernhard Langer to “apologise” for involving the twice Masters champ in a recent story surrounding potential voter fraud.

Langer’s name hit the headlines last month when a report indicated Langer relayed a story to Trump about witnessing possible fraud while queueing to vote during the general election in November.

Trump was said to have repeated the anecdote.

The problem is, Langer is a German citizen, and as a permanent resident living in Florida he is not eligible to vote in US elections.

He later released a statement explaining that the President didn’t hear the story directly from his mouth.

“We talked on the phone, and he was very clear... if there was anything that hurt me, he apologised,” said Langer yesterday at the Allianz Championship.

“I thought that’s a great gesture from him because he’s got a lot of other things to be concerned about, not just, you know, this golfer Bernhard Langer.”

Meanwhile, Italian politicians are hopeful of finding a quick solution to a funding problem which could put the country’s hosting of the 2022 Ryder Cup in jeopardy.

Senate president Pietro Grasso removed an amendment to a bill which would have guaranteed funding of €97 million (£83m) for the event, which is due to be staged at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club outside Rome.

Culture and sport committee president Andrea Marcucci said: “The Ryder Cup is, and remains, a great opportunity for the country.

“I hope the government can quickly find a solution that meets the requirements of the organisers.”

“I want to remind everyone that this international competition brings with it considerable economic benefits.”