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Official: Quick return of PGA a ‘no-brainer’

PGA Grand Slam of Golf (File photo by Nicola Muirhead)

Agreeing to host the PGA Grand Slam of Golf in October would a “no-brainer”, according to one Bermuda golf official.

The exhibition event was supposed to be played at Trump National Golf Club in Los Angeles this year, however, the PGA of America are moving the event because of Donald Trump’s comments on illegal Mexican immigrants.

Trump and the PGA of America met on Monday, and both groups said they mutually agreed not to hold the Grand Slam of Golf in Los Angeles from October 19 to 21.

Trump said because of the backlash over his comments he does not want the PGA of America to deal with any consequences.

“I have great respect for the PGA of America and everything they stand for,” Trump said.

According to one Bermuda official, the Island could be ready at “a moment’s notice” to stage the two-day tournament, which was held here between 2007 and 2014 at Mid Ocean Club and Port Royal Golf Course.

While Bermuda officials would not say if they had spoken to the PGA about stepping in at short notice, the Bermuda Tourism Authority did say that the announcement “definitely got our attention”.

Jordan Spieth already has qualified for the 36-hole event by winning the Masters and US Open, while Martin Kaymer will be the alternate as the defending champion after his play-off win over Bubba Watson at Port Royal last year.

The PGA said it was exploring options on where to move the Grand Slam, along with its annual PGA Junior League Golf Championship that also was to be held at Trump National Los Angeles.

“The PGA will comment further at the appropriate time,” it said in a statement.

NBC, Univision and Macy’s are among several businesses that already have cut ties to Trump over his comments.

The real estate mogul stood by his remarks, issuing a new statement on Monday in which he said the Mexican Government is “forcing their most unwanted people into the United States” and claimed that in many cases, those people are “criminals, drug dealers, rapists, etc”.

On Monday, ESPN announced it was moving its ESPY Celebrity Golf Classic from Trump’s course in Los Angeles to nearby Pelican Hill.

“Diversity and inclusion are core values at ESPN and our decision also supports that commitment,” ESPN said.

Trump’s relationship with golf goes beyond the PGA of America, which also has its PGA Championship scheduled for Trump National in New Jersey in 2022. The US Women’s Open is to be played at his New Jersey course in 2017.

The PGA Tour stages a World Golf Championship at Trump National Doral outside Miami each year.

The PGA Tour and USGA have declined to comment on the future of their tournaments going to Trump courses, except for distancing themselves from Trump’s remarks in a Golf Channel interview that he has received support from the golf industry because “they know I’m right”.

The Ricoh Women’s British Open is to be played this year at Turnberry, the links and resort on the West Coast of Scotland that Trump purchased and now calls Trump Turnberry. LPGA Tour commissioner Mike Whan has said there are no plans to change the venue.

Trump said losing the Grand Slam of Golf this year will give him time to rebuild the Los Angeles course that fronts the Pacific Ocean.