Golf is a sport cherished by many, even among those who are not professionals. A prominent example of this passion is the current U.S. President, Donald Trump. Known for his deep appreciation of the game, Trump is regarded as a golf historian and often demonstrates his love for the sport in various public appearances. His knowledge of golf statistics is extensive, surpassing even that of professional players like Cameron Smith. Over the years, Trump’s enthusiasm for the game has been evident in multiple instances, making it a central aspect of his life.
At 78 years old, Trump continues to maintain an impressive consistency in his golf game, starting strong with his drives off the tee. His skills were on display during the “Break 50 Challenge” on Bryson DeChambeau’s YouTube channel. Beyond playing, Trump has shared the course with many professional golfers and owns numerous prestigious golf courses around the world. Cameron Smith, an Australian professional golfer, had the opportunity to play with Trump last year, just before Trump began campaigning for the 2024 elections. Smith recently opened up about this memorable experience.
Cameron Smith Reflects on Playing Golf with Trump
President Donald Trump has garnered attention both for his political career and his passion for golf. For Cameron Smith, playing alongside Trump was a unique experience, unlike any other. On a recent episode of the podcast Straight Talk, hosted by Mark Bouris, Smith shared insights into his life and recounted his match with the former president.
During the podcast, Smith revealed the surreal nature of the game, explaining, “I have played with him before. I played with him last year. I tell you one thing which was nuts. It was the Secret Service—it was absolutely mental. And he was the former President at that time. The amount of people that were around was insane.” Smith admitted that the presence of Secret Service agents made the experience nerve-wracking, as he was constantly worried about making mistakes.
According to reports, former U.S. presidents are typically assigned around 80 Secret Service agents for protection, while sitting presidents and vice presidents have a larger contingent of approximately 300 agents. Surrounded by such a heavy security detail, Smith understandably felt out of place.
Despite the intimidating environment, Smith described Trump as a personable and encouraging playing partner. “But he wasn’t that type of person,” Smith explained. “He would come up and hug you or give you a high five if you made a birdie. He loves golf. He is like a fiend for golf—he knows every stat. It’s crazy.”
The Potential Impact of Trump’s Love for Golf
Trump’s deep appreciation for golf could play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. Currently, the professional golf world is divided, with many LIV Golf players banned from participating in PGA Tour events. High-profile players like Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, and Cameron Smith have faced limited opportunities to compete in major PGA tournaments since joining LIV Golf. For fans and players alike, this division has been disappointing, as it prevents the best golfers from competing against each other on the world’s top courses.
Trump has expressed a desire to resolve this rift, claiming he could negotiate a resolution in as little as 15 minutes. Reports suggest that Trump recently invited PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan for a round of golf at the Trump International Golf Club. The four-hour game is speculated to have been a step toward facilitating the long-awaited merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.
For now, the outcome remains uncertain. While Trump’s influence and negotiation skills could accelerate the process, questions linger about whether he can achieve the unification fans and players hope for. The potential merger would allow players like Cameron Smith, who transitioned to LIV Golf in 2022, to freely participate in PGA events once again, restoring the competitive balance of the sport.
The golf community continues to debate whether Trump’s passion and involvement in the sport will lead to a resolution or if the challenges between the two tours are too complex to overcome. Meanwhile, fans eagerly await progress on this pivotal issue, wondering if Trump’s efforts could mark a turning point in the future of professional golf.