In a move that has baffled political commentators and sports fans alike, former President Donald Trump has publicly declared himself the winner of a major golf championship he never entered.
The extraordinary claim was made during a recent rally in Las Vegas, where the presumptive Republican nominee told supporters he had emerged victorious from the prestigious tournament.
A Pattern of Grandiose Claims
This isn't the first time Mr. Trump has made questionable assertions about his sporting prowess. He has frequently boasted about his golfing abilities throughout his business and political career, often making claims that are difficult to verify.
Political analysts suggest these statements form part of a broader pattern of self-aggrandisement that has characterised his public persona for decades.
Fact-Checking the Fairway
Records from the United States Golf Association (USGA), which organises the US Open, confirm that Donald Trump did not participate in this year's tournament, nor has he ever competed in the event as a professional or amateur player.
The actual winner of the 2024 US Open will be determined through competitive play at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina this June—a process that doesn't involve the former president.
Political Reactions
The statement has drawn criticism from political opponents who view it as symptomatic of a larger disregard for factual accuracy. Supporters, however, have largely dismissed the comment as typical Trumpian hyperbole not meant to be taken literally.
This incident comes amid ongoing legal challenges for the former president and his campaign for a return to the White House in the upcoming election.
