DORAL — After sending his drive down the middle of the fairway on the first hole Thursday, Donald Trump picked up his t-shirt and said to everyone listening:
“Do you think Biden can do it? I don’t think so.”
It was the start of a solid round for the former president and Palm Beach resident, who was playing in the pros before this week’s LIV Golf Series at his home course in Doral.
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Trump played nine holes with Jupiter Brooks Koepka and nine with Sergio Garcia on Blue Monster. He hit the ball pretty well (just ask him) and certainly didn’t look like the whirlwind of investigations and subpoena from the committee on Jan. 6 caused any concern.
Trump’s group, which included his son Eric Trump and granddaughter Kai Trump, was under 9 points, tying the low score for the day.
All of which means LIV CEO Greg Norman should expect a phone call from Trump on Friday demanding he cut one shot off his team’s score.
Trump is very comfortable on the golf course, having to play more golf than any other president in history during his four years in office. And on Thursday, he was surrounded by fans wearing hats that read “MAGA,” “TRUMP” and “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”
He interacted with about 40 family members and friends (fans were not allowed during the pro), he proved that Biden is always on his mind, mentioning the president several times and stopping often to sign autographs.
The Secret Service is watching the crowd at the Doral course
Also included in the group: about a dozen golf carts driven by Secret Service agents who constantly scanned the crowd and occasionally asked bystanders to keep their hands out of their pockets.
“I think he’s actually a pretty good shooter,” Kopka said. “He had a lot of good shots today that just didn’t go well.”
Trump believes that Koepka’s assessment does not correspond to him:
“I hit straight, I hit good drives, I hit good irons,” he said.
Koepka, who played with Trump in West Palm Beach, was asked if he got any advice from the former president.
“He won’t give me any hints,” Koepka said. – He didn’t want me to hit him.
But Trump may have asked for some. Trump and Koepka stopped on the fifth fairway as Trump took his stance. He seemed to be asking the four-time Major champion for a tip.
Kai Trump is the most impressive golfer among the Trump clan
The pros certainly held the group together, although 15-year-old Kai, daughter of Donald Trump Jr., was the most impressive golfer among the Trump clan. Kai bogeyed No. 5 and after the grandpa overshot his west tee shot on 18 and it rolled about 100 yards, Kai putt his putt within 10 feet of the pin.
When one fan yelled, “Mr. President, you were right all along.” Trump replied: “I’m right about everything… except the last punch.”
It was the only time he admitted his failure. Trump complimented his golf game most of the day.
“How does Trump golf?” – he said, speaking about himself. “Pretty good, right?”
Trump was twice presented with magazines with his face on the cover: Rolling Stone and Playboy. He held up a Rolling Stone and said, “What a handsome fellow.” He held up the Playboy for all to see.
“You got my vote in 2024. If I don’t see you there, it will be a problem.’
Trump noted that a golf course worker pointed at him.
One golf bag – not Donald’s – read TRUMP 2024. Several fans carried TRUMP signs, some from 2024.
Trump didn’t talk much about politics the few times he stopped to take questions; he mostly praised LIV and ripped the PGA Tour. When Bubba Watson arrived at the 13th floor to watch Trump, Trump told him LIV was “unbelievable” and added, “You know who’s going to get hurt? Those guys who didn’t sign.”
Trump was asked if he was going to campaign with Gov. Ron DeSantis.
“He’s a good man,” he said, before later saying, “I don’t want to say anything that will get me in trouble.”
