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FORE!TUNE

Rory McIlroy wins £1.5m for charity in sudden death play-off as Trump dodges chance to reply to his ‘terrible’ blast

RORY McILROY won £1.5million for coronavirus relief in a sudden death play-off as live golf returned to TV for the first time in two months.

World No 1 McIlroy teamed up with Dustin Johnson to pocket the huge amount in a skins game against Americans Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff.

 Trump passed up the chance to respond to McIlroy's comments during the charity coronavirus relief game
Trump passed up the chance to respond to McIlroy's comments during the charity coronavirus relief gameCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 McIlroy and Johnson react after the Northern Irishman's shot wins it
McIlroy and Johnson react after the Northern Irishman's shot wins itCredit: Getty Images - Getty

The teams had a whopping £910,000 up for grabs on the play-off hole, which McIlroy claimed after knocking his 120-yard shot inside Wolff's.

And it was a double win for Northern Ireland's four-time Major champ, as Donald Trump passed up the chance to take a swipe back at him.

McIlroy had branded the US President's handling of the coronavirus crisis as "terrible" and vowed never to play with him again after their round three years ago.

But on a phone call during the mega money charity match at ultra-exclusive Seminole club in Florida, US, Trump ignored McIlroy's comments.

Asked about the Northern Irishman's remarks, golf fanatic Trump said: "A lot of them [golfers] are very political. Some of them like my politics, some don't.

"I guess the ones who don't, I don't get to see so much."

Overall, the TaylorMade Driving Relief skins game raised just over £4.5m for charity.

Speaking of his short iron shot that clinched the win, McIlroy joked: "I'm not known for my wedge play!

"It was only 120 yards but a tough shot. I'm really happy, it was an awesome day with all of us out here for a great cause.

"It was nice to get out on golf course and back to some sort of normality."

If the Bundesliga was met with criticisms of lacking atmosphere given no fans are allowed in grounds upon its return, then, frankly, all you can do is pray for golf.

 Trump refused to take a swipe back at McIlroy
Trump refused to take a swipe back at McIlroyCredit: AFP or licensors

All the players in this match wore microphones and we were promised some banter.

But there was absolutely none of that and the silence was made all the more deafening by the lack of supporters cheering on their heroes.

With that as the backdrop, the PGA Tour is set for a flat return at the Charles Schwab Challenge on June 11.

Trump did give hope of fans piling into Augusta National for the rearranged Masters in November, though.

He added: "Four events without fans then hopefully we'll get back to normal after that.

"When we want the Majors we want the fan experience, not them having to wear masks and do what we've been doing past couple months.

"We want back to normal, big crowds, standing on top of each other and enjoying themselves.

"In the meantime, social distancing, people have been doing really well with it and the country is ready to start moving forward.

"We're going to get it back and get it back fast. It's a transition to greatness."

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