Rory McIlroy skips PGA Tour event at Trump site, still gets shoutout from president at White House dinner
Rory McIlroy decided to move on to Trump National Doral this week for the PGA Tour’s Cadillac Championship, but President Donald Trump doesn’t seem to have any ill will for the six-time major.
McIlroy and his wife, Erica, attended the White House State Dinner for England’s King Charles III on Tuesday evening and received high praise from the president during his speech. Trump even went so far as to tell McIlroy to stand up mid-ceremony during his special shout-out.
Rory McIlroy attends a State Dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in honor of Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 28, 2026. (Photo by Henry Nicholls / AFP via Getty Images) (Henry Nicholls / AFP via Getty Images)
LIBERALS Meltdown After Learning PGA TOUR IS BACK IN TRUMP’S GOAL DISTRICT
“That was incredibly brave. That was great, Rory,” Trump said. “Where’s Rory McIlroy, can you stand up? I don’t know if that helps them talk about how good my speech is, but I had to interrupt my speech because I watched that man win a tournament that was tough, that was tough. Congratulations, you’re proud of yourself. Now I’ll get back to my speech, okay.”
McIlroy won his second consecutive Masters earlier this month, becoming the fourth player in major tournament history to successfully defend at Augusta National. Tiger Woods was the last to do so, winning the green jacket in 2001 and 2002.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DOD NOT @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates winning the 2026 Masters tournament on the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) (Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
McIlroy skipped each of the last three events on the PGA Tour schedule following his victory at Augusta, including this week’s signature event at Trump Doral, which returns as a Tour venue for the first time since 2016.
Many thought McIlroy would meet at Doral this week in an unscheduled event, but with another signature event at Quail Hollow next week, followed by the PGA Championship the following week, the 36-year-old chose not to play for three consecutive weeks.
OUTKICK IS NOW AVAILABLE ON THE FOX NEWS APP: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
Rory McIlroy stands with his friend, Harry Diamond, holding the Masters championship trophy during the green jacket ceremony after the final round at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., on April 12, 2026. (Kyle Terada/Imagn Images)
GOLD STATUE OF DONALD TRUMP INSTALLED AT DORAL AHEAD OF PGA TOUR RETURN TO PRESIDENT’S GOAL
Trump and McIlroy have played golf together in the past, including one occasion in February 2025 in which the president explained that he was not a fan of the LIV Golf format despite hosting several events at Trump’s Saudi-backed circuit.
The Cadillac Championship begins Thursday with World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler leading the limited field event.
