McIlroy 'probably wouldn't' play golf with Trump again

Rory McIlroy was heavily criticized in 2017 for playing golf with President Donald Trump, though he made it clear it wasn't a political statement but rather a show of respect to the Oval Office.

McIlroy told the "McKellar Golf Podcast" on Thursday that the round was "very enjoyable," but he also revealed his stance on playing another 18 holes with the president changed after Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

"We're in the midst of something that's pretty serious right now, and the fact that he's trying to politicize it and make it a campaign rally and say we're administering the most tests in the world like it is a contest - there's some stuff that just is terrible," McIlroy said.

He added: "It's not the way a leader should act. There's a sort of diplomacy that you need to have, and I don't think he's showing that, especially in these times."

The Florida resident has passed on other opportunities to tee it up with the president since 2017. He acknowledged the offer is now likely off the table when asked if he would play with Trump again.

"I don't know if he'd want to play with me again after what I just said. I know it's very self-serving of me to say no, and if I don't, then it means then I'm not putting myself in position to be under scrutiny and that I'm avoiding that," he added. "But I probably wouldn't, no."