Can Trump help end world golf’s civil war?

It seems that there is no one who can challenge Donald Trump at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach Florida.

Maybe because the US President has a really good golf game even at the ripe old age of 78.

Or maybe because he owns the club.

On Sunday, just a day after ordering a wave of airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthis, President Trump took to social media to announce that he has won yet another golf tournament at his club in Palm Beach County.

He also said that it might “probably my last”.

"I just won the Golf Club Championship, probably my last, at Trump International Golf Club, in Palm Beach County, Florida. Such a great honor! The Awards dinner is tonight, at the Club," his post read.

"I want to thank the wonderful Golf Staff, and all of the many fantastic golfers, that participated in the event. Such fun!"

In the world of golf, either they love him or hate him.

President Trump wastes no opportunity to brag about his golfing prowess.

Two years ago, he even claimed about carding a stunning 67 to win a club championship on a course where even the top professionals struggled to get near that kind of score.

At that time, Trump wrote on social media: "For some reason, I am just a good golfer/athlete - I have won many Club Championships, and it is always a great honor!"

Another of Trump’s comments: "You need strength and stamina to WIN, & I have strength & stamina – most others don’t. You also need strength & stamina to GOVERN!”

That same year, he announced winning a club championship in which he didn’t even play in the first round. According to reports, Trump informed the tournament organizers that he played a really good round a couple of days back, asking them to count that score while compiling the overall results of the club championship.

Last year, Trump declared that he has added two more titles under his belt by winning both the Club Championship and the Senior Club Championship at West Palm Beach. On the same night, he was presented with the 2024 Trump International Golf Club Most Improved Player by golf legend Jack Nicklaus.

In January, an Instagram post showed Trump leading the field of 11 contestants by four strokes. However, nobody witnessed Trump playing in the event. In fact, nobody knew that he was playing until the scores were shown both on the course and the social media.

Citing such incidents, Trump’s critics argue that he cheats and that he cheats a lot.

However, such criticism doesn’t seem to bother the US President.

He continues to hone his golfing skills even as he faces tough challenges in his second term.

Sunday’s golf outing was Trump’s sixth at West Palm Beach since his inauguration on January 20.

Good for golf?

Many in the golfing world hope that Trump’s affiliation with the sport (apart from being a multiple-time champion, he also owns 16 golf clubs around the world), could actually help in ending golf’s ongoing civil war.

In 2021, the Saudi-owned LIV Golf created a rift in international golf by luring some of the top names from the US-based PGA Tour.

It roped in 54 players, with stars like then world No. 1 Jon Rahm and Major champion Brooks Koepka signing contracts worth $300 million and $130 million respectively.

Other top players who became part of the US$5billion LIV Golf include Americans Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau and Australia’s Cameron Smith.

All these stars were banned by the PGA Tour which means that barring the four Majors, PGA and LIV players do not play together.

The bifurcation has resulted in falling viewership which is why many in the golf world is hoping for a reunification. And many believe that Trump has the influence to end the civil war.

Trump has been making efforts to help the two parties resolve their differences. He hosted both the parties at the White House for a meeting last month and is pressing for a deal sooner rather than later.

According to the PGA Tour there are “some hurdles” in the negotiations for a reunification. However, it has also acknowledged that Trump’s intervention has “significantly bolstered” the talks.

The US President certainly has the clout, both with LIV and PGA Tour, to make them work out a deal. He might also have a personal motive considering that he needs both LIV and the PGA Tour to hold top level tournaments at his clubs around the world.

Whatever the motivation, he will do a favor to the sport if he manages to help end the rift.

President Trump may be a divisive figure both at home and abroad. But when it comes to golf, it seems that, for once, he might end up as a unifying force.