Golf legend reveals Donald Trump's true ability after cheating claims
Golf legend reveals Donald Trump's true ability after cheating claims
Rory Robinson Wed, August 26, 2026 at 10:16 PM UTC
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Donald Trump's previous hole-in-one claims were backed by Ernie Els -Credit:Getty
The golf game of President Donald Trump has lived in two realities for years: one built around those who inflate his skill and praise his self-reported club-championship trophies, and another built around those who have repeatedly accused him of lying about it all.
Ernie Els has now joined the conversation on Trump's scorecards with a personal recollection in favor of the president. The former No. 1-ranked player in the world believes that, unlike detractors who have played with Trump, the president can actually hit the ball.
The PGA Tour star was alongside Trump in 2022 when the then-former president reportedly made a hole-in-one at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. The four-time major champion still remembers the moment and his reaction of disbelief.
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"We throw our clubs in the air. You know, 'it's unbelievable,'" Els said of witnessing the ace. "You play with the ex-president, and he makes a hole-in-one. How many times does that happen? That's the thing that goes through your mind."
"He hits the ball better than I've seen any... I mean, he's 75," he continued. :But he can really strike the ball. He makes good contact. He's got a good swing."
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Els' endorsement resurfaced after Trump's claim of shooting a gross two-under 70 at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster to win both the Senior and Super Senior men's club championships.
Ernie Els recalled being amazed at Trump's feat -Credit:Getty
Trump, now 80 years old, claimed his 70 at Bedminster was 11 shots better than the anticipated 81 tied to his stated 2.8 handicap. Researchers added that a scratch golfer at the venue would reportedly be expected to shoot around 78.
His claims came just before the LIV Golf New York tournament on the very same grounds. Four rounds of 70 would have produced a 280 total at LIV's New York event, which would have earned a tie for ninth place alongside Branden Grace and Young-han Song.
The president's score would have been better than a blend of legends and ex-champions, including Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Ian Poulter, and Trump's friend Bryson DeChambeau.
Donald Trump says he won the club championship at his course in Bedminster -Credit:Getty
The claimed round would also have tied the 11th-best individual score recorded at LIV's events at Bedminster. Several players, including three-time consecutive and reigning LIV individual champion Jon Rahm, failed to shoot 70 or better in any round at Bedminster.
"Commander in Cheat," author Rick Reilly has long disputed Trump's golf claims and has estimated that his scores without caddie assistance would be closer to 90.
Trump has also faced cheating accusations from other celebrities and playing partners over the years, leaving spectacular scores open to scrutiny. The president's caddie has also been accused of moving played shots and assisting the president on the links.
Source: “AOL Sports”
