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Rory McIlroy plays a round with Donald Trump

Rory McIlroy, third left, with US president Donald Trump, second left, in Florida where they played a round of golf. Picture by Clear Sports/Twitter
Rory McIlroy, third left, with US president Donald Trump, second left, in Florida where they played a round of golf. Picture by Clear Sports/Twitter Rory McIlroy, third left, with US president Donald Trump, second left, in Florida where they played a round of golf. Picture by Clear Sports/Twitter

RORY McIlroy has played a round of golf with US President Donald Trump.

The Co Down golfer is currently recovering from injury, but it appears he has begun preparations for his comeback to competitive golf by playing with Trump in Florida on Sunday.

The world number three played in a four-ball with Trump, Kildare-born Nick Mullen of International Sports Management and the president's friend Rich Levine.

It is understood they played at Doral, a course Trump owns, and one McIlroy regularly plays.

The Holywood sportsman told the website, No Laying Up, that he was only asked to play golf with Trump hours before they teed off. He said he rode in the cart for all 18 holes with the president.

"He probably shot around 80," he said.

"He’s a decent player for a guy in his 70s."

A photograph of McIlroy and Trump was posted online by Clear Sports alongside its CEO Garry Singer and former baseball player Paul O'Neill, but they were not part of the four-ball involving the president.

McIlroy is currently nursing a stress fracture in his rib and is not due to return to competitive golf until next weekend at the WGC-Mexico Championship, a tournament that used to be played at Doral.

But McIlroy's decision to play alongside the new US president has provoked criticism on social media.

One man said: " I'd have thought @McIlroyRory would have had been better than this", while another added: "Oh @McIlroyRory why did you go and do that?".

Another social media user also said "surprised at you Rors", while Dermot Looney, an independent socialist councillor on South Dublin county council, tweeted his criticism of the golfer.

"I've no problem with @McIlroyRory choosing to stay out of Northern politics," he said.

"But playing in his free time with Trump is a political choice".