Rory McIlroy admits irony of World Golf Championship being switched from Donald Trump course to Mexico

James Corrigan
Updated
Rory McIlroy admits irony of World Golf Championship being switched from Donald Trump course to Mexico

Rory McIlroy has acknowledged the “irony” of the first World Golf Championship event of the season being hosted in Mexico City after being switched from President Trump’s course in Doral, Miami.

McIlroy felt obliged to release a statement late on Friday defending himself for playing a round of golf with Trump last weekend. The world No 3, who has been sidelined for two months with a fractured rib, called it “ridiculous” that critics, predominantly on social media, have labeled him “a fascist and a bigot... because I spent time in someone's company”.

Both Tiger Woods and Ernie Els have also played with Trump in recent months, but neither received the flak that McIlroy has.

The supposed “controversy” has obviously not been a distraction McIlroy needs as he relaunches his Masters build-up. However, he will be glad to arrive on Tuesday at Club de Golf Chapultepec, just west of Mexico City, despite Trump warning “I hope they [the PGA Tour] have kidnapping insurance”.

“They're called the World Golf Championship for a reason and I always felt that having three of them in the United States wasn't really spreading the game,” McIlroy said. “So I think it’s good news we’re getting at least one of those outside the States. And it is quite ironic that we're going to Mexico after being at Doral. But I think it's a good move. I think it really is.”

McIlroy has not played since last month’s South African Open, where he finished runner-up while carrying the injury. He has not rushed back, ensuring that he is fit for Augusta in six weeks’ time. He has been working this week with putting coach Phil Kenyon and claims his short game “to be as good as ever”.

He will test his long-game at the famous Seminole Pro-Am on Monday, close to his home in South Florida. He is also due to play in the Arnold Bay Hill Invitational and the WGC Match Play before the Masters, where he will attempt to become just the sixth player in history to complete the career grand slam.