Former US President Donald Trump on October 27th criticised the US PGA Tour for “missing a golden opportunity” by not partnering with the Saudi Arabia-backed new men’s golf league, the LIV Golf Invitational.

The LivGolf Series season finale, a team competition, will be held from the 28th at Trump National Doral Golf Club, owned by Trump in Miami.

“The U.S. Tour squandered a great opportunity and now they’re in a much tougher position,” Trump told reporters after playing 18 holes in the pro-am. He praised Saudi Arabia, which supports the LiveGolf series and the tournaments, saying, “Big tournaments, big money, huge prize money. They really love golf. The Saudis are doing a great job.”

Asked if he thought ribgolf represented the future of golf, he was more cautious but still held the existing US tour responsible for the division, saying: “I don’t know. I’m sure there will be a solution eventually, but the US tour is handling it really badly. Something has to be done about the guys at the top.”

He also predicted that more stars will leave the US tour to join live golf, following in the footsteps of American Phil Mickelson, Spanish Sergio Garcia and American Dustin Johnson. (AFP/Simon EVANS)