‘Too good’ – Rory McIlroy delivers backhanded compliment to Kai Trump during golf round
If Kai Trump ever needed an endorsement of her golf ability, she got one from Rory McIlroy.
However, the Northern Irishman’s kind words to the eldest granddaughter of Donald Trump was perhaps a thinly-veiled swipe at the YouTube gold community, which Kai is a prominent member of.
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McIlroy had high praise for Trump’s granddaughter during a round of golfCredit: GettyMcIlroy and Trump played a round together at Torrey Pines, where this year’s Genesis Open was played, in a charity event to raise funds for those affected by the California wildfires and shared footage from the day onto her YouTube channel.
Trump hit an impressive shot from the rough onto the green to set herself up for a putt.
As she and McIlroy made their way up to the green, the Northern Irishman was impressed by Trump’s shot.
“Good shot, Kai,” McIlroy said.
Read more golf news”You’re too good for this YouTube golf.”
Trump cheekily replied: “Honestly, I think that’s what it is. I’m just too good.”
The 17-year-old only launched her YouTube channel four moths ago, but she has gone on to amass over 1million subscribers.
Although McIlroy was more than happy to participate, he has previously admitted he would ‘much rather’ watch competitive golf than those on YouTube.
“You know, I think it (PGA Tour) already has been diminished… YouTube is like golf entertainment, adjacent, whatever,” McIlroy said in January.
“Those guys are killing it. They found a niche and it’s really cool and it serves a purpose for a lot of people.
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The pair played at the Genesis Open to raise money for those affected by the wildfiresCredit: Kai Trump – YouTube”But look, I would much rather sit down and watch real golfers play real tournaments and that’s just my opinion.
“That to me is more entertaining… But I understand that other people want something different and that’s totally fine as well.
“I think there’s space for all of this. Yeah, I can see when the golf consumer might get a little fatigued of everything that’s sort of available to them.”
Trump’s video with McIlroy was shared a day prior to the Northern Irishman confronting a heckler at The Players Championship.
McIlroy competed alongside Ryder Cup teammate Shane Lowry in a practice round at TPC Sawgrass when he was captured approaching a patron.
He asked the spectator to see his phone and subsequently took it before he walked off.
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McIlroy is not exactly the biggest fan of YouTube golfCredit: GettyThe social media user who posted the video said McIlroy hit a wayward tee shot into a water hazard and the fan shouted ‘just like 2011 at Augusta’ before the incident occurred.
That was a reference to the 35-year-old’s infamous collapse at the Masters – when he held a four-shot lead after 54 holes and shot 80 in the final round.
After two rounds, McIlroy sits T4 with a score of nine-under at TPC Sawgrass.
Australia’s Min Woo Lee and Akshay Bhatia share the lead at 11-under.
