Donald Trump and golfing ace Sir Nick Faldo are on very different pages when it comes to LIV Golf , even as buzz builds that Trump might be eyeing the six-time major champion for a role in the White House. In a surprising twist at a campaign event in Bozeman, Montana, Trump hinted at a potential role for Faldo in his administration should he triumph in the November elections, calling the golf icon a "major friend of mine". Following his marriage to fourth wife Lindsay De Marco in December 2020, Faldo's engagement with Republican circles has noticeably increased.
De Marco, an enthusiastic supporter of Trump and the GOP, was alongside Faldo at the rally. Amidst cheers from the crowd, Trump said: "This guy is a major golfer. He is a major friend of mine.
One of the best ever. They knighted him in England or the UK. And he just knew how to win.
"He could take on the world's top players and they always folded against him. In fact, I think I need to bring him into government 'cause we like to get other people to fold. And his nickname is Foldo because he makes everyone but his name is Faldo.
Nick Faldo and his beautiful wife, Lindsay. Where is Nick?". Scanning the crowd, Trump acknowledged Faldo's presence, adding: "That guy can play golf.
.. he's won six majors and many, many tournaments, and he's one of the greatest golfers ever.
" However, the pair already have shared opposing views on one big issue - LIV Golf. Faldo is not a fan of the breakaway league, which has caused division in the world of golf, whereas Trump certainly is. Back in 2022, Trump declared LIV Golf "a great thing for Saudi Arabia" while encouraging players to "take the money" and join the controversial series.
LIV Golf has also hosted several events at his courses, including at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, where the 78-year-old took part in the pro-am with son Eric and major champions Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau. Last year, Faldo retired from his role as lead analyst for CBS Sports's PGA Tour coverage. In an interview on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio's "Gravy and The Sleeze" show, Faldo addressed the differences he sees between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour - and his views oppose those of Trump.
"It is a different style of golf (LIV)," Faldo said. "And the Tour is the Tour, or the Tours, you know, and we would deem it as proper golf, 72 holes, 36-hole cut. All of that is all part of your learning experience.
'Cause you've gotta strive, you know? "Here's the bottom line, you know, you've got to strive, you know, everything in life is a struggle, isn't it? So you strive and from striving, you then achieve something. So if you've achieved something, you then get satisfaction from doing that. And then from your satisfaction, you then create a memory.
Well, if there's nothing to strive for then there's no memory. "When I look back at my career, you don't think of the dollar sign. You think, I went through a swing change for two years and then came out of it and finally winning, win my first major and what have you, and then became a pretty darn decent golfer for five years.
That makes you proud of what you did. And that's with me forever. I mean, that's where I see a difference.
"Sure, I would've loved to earn tens of millions more. I'm not denying that. But there's something about competing and putting yourself through the ringer, and then you feel proud of your achievements.
...
That's why I think the Tour's competitive golf will stand up because their tour is not the same competition. It really isn't.".
