Rory McIlroy and the other pro golfers who celebrated Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 US election
It’s not going to shock anyone that a sport like golf has a large group of Donald Trump supporters in its ranks. Some made it clear they were MAGA fans before Nov. 5, but others have jumped on the bandwagon.


Bryson DeChambeau has never hidden his admiration for Donald Trump. The two-time US Open winner has been seen on the course with No. 45 on several occasions and make a video with the former and soon-to-be president on his YouTube channel.
Bryson DeChambeau has announced Donald Trump is on his next episode of "Break 50".
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) July 22, 2024
(📹: @b_dechambeau) pic.twitter.com/aBYJeU2Qwm
DeChambeau took the money and jumped ship when LIV Golf offered him a contract of somewhere around $100 million, paid for by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which has also financed Trump’s son-in-law’s private equity fund, Affinity Partners with a $2 billion investment.
Who are the other Trump fans on the PGA Tour?
In connection with the Saudi Arabian Investment Fund, Rory McIlory went on record in 2024 at the Dhabi HSBC Championship: “But obviously, Trump has a great relationship with Saudi Arabia. He’s got a great relationship with golf. He’s a lover of golf.” The Northern Irishman continued when asked about the PGA-LIV situation, “He’s got Elon Musk, who I think is the smartest man in the world, beside him. We might be able to do something if we can get Musk involved, too.”
As Eamon Lynch points out in his article, the World No.3 golfer could have taken a pass on the question, but he decided to be frank with reporters and let them know what he thought of Trump and his buddy Elon Musk.
We’re still waiting for news on the LIV - PGA agreement.
It’s no surprise either that John Daly is a full-fledged Trump supporter. The two-time major winner spoke out on an Instagram story after Trump’s victory on Nov. 5: “Roll call… don’t miss your damn flight,” he wrote encouraging the celebrities who said they’d be leaving the US to do what they said they were going to. Daly had offered his support to Trump after the assassination attempt in July:
President Trump is one of the toughest men I know! God bless him and his family right now. Also, sending out prayers to the fallen attendees! 🙏🇺🇸 This is devastating—our revenge coming in November at the polls! #fightfightfight #maga #myleader #vote #SAVEAMERICA pic.twitter.com/8Jicv6xygA
— John Daly (@PGA_JohnDaly) July 14, 2024
Veteran golfers who back Trump
Gary Player, the South African golf legend, sent a congratulatory tweet on Elon Musk’s X for the new president:
I have a deep-rooted love for America and will always respect the person who holds the top office in the world. Congratulations on your hard earned victory, Mr President. A comeback for the ages indeed. You started yesterday down by 8 with 9 holes to go and came out victorious.… pic.twitter.com/gJXaPXIG61
— GARY PLAYER (@garyplayer) November 6, 2024
The “Black Knight” had received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump in January 2021, the day after the attack by Trump supporters on the Capitol Building.
In that same ceremony, LPGA Hall of Fame golfer Annika Sorentsam was also awarded the Medal of Freedom. Sorenstam tried to downplay the timing of the ceremony in an interview with the Irish Times: “I’m not one to second-guess. It [the ceremony] was supposed to be in March 2020. Looking back at it, it’s really about the people who have received it through history. I don’t want to spend energy looking back. I want to spend energy looking forward, continuing to open doors and create opportunities for young girls around the world.”
Her husband, Mike McGee, shared his excitement on X after Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election was confirmed:
What a night. A clean sweep. I’m proud to see the American people have had enough. We should be able to get our country back to normal in the next four years. God bless America! 🇺🇸🙏
— Mike McGee (@MikeMcGeeAnnika) November 6, 2024
And, last, but not least, Jack Nicklaus hasn’t held back when showing his admiration for Donald Trump. Before the 2020 election, which Trump lost to Joe Biden, the “Golden Bear” gave Trump his endorsement:
Jack Nicklaus is a very rich guy who only cares about money and golf, just like Trump. He was a great golfer but he shows here that he doesn’t have a moral compass. pic.twitter.com/iFqEj5cTdH
— Hugo Kijne (@HugoKijne) October 29, 2020
We can only imagine Tiger Woods is on board with the new administration considering he is dating Trump Jr.’s ex wife.
NEW: Tiger Woods confirms he is in a relationship with Vanessa Trump.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 24, 2025
“Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side! We look forward to our journey through life together. At this time we would appreciate privacy for all those close to our hearts,” Woods posted. pic.twitter.com/jYEl9Y8IvJ
We’ll keep an eye out on social media for more Trump golf outings with former and current golf legends during his new term as the 47th US president. Who knows, we might even see the president at Augusta National this weekend.
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