US Presidential candidate Donald Trump’s controversial comments touched a nerve with triple Major winning Irishman Padraig Harrington.
Trump has faced a backlash of disdain after labeling Mexican immigrants ‘rapists’ and ‘killer’s’ and has since refused to apologise.
The golf world has reacted with the PGA of America stripping Trump hosting the 2015 Grand Slam of Golf, an event featuring the four Majors winners each season, from being hosted at his s Los Angeles club later this year.
There is already talk of taking the annual WGC – Cadillac Championship away from Trump Doral in Miami while organisers of this week’s Scottish Open at Gullane may now act and change expected plans to contest the 2017 Scottish Open at Trump’s new links course just north of Aberdeen.
Trump’s Bedminister club in New Jersey is also set to host the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open and the 2022 PGA Championship, and an event also run by the PGA of America.
Harrington’s a former Grand Slam of Golf winner and has likened Trump’s remarks to a stigma once attributed to migrating Irish.
Dubliner Padraig Harrington disappointed with Donald Trump’s ‘Mexican’ remarks. (Photo – www.europeantour.com)
“Speaking as an Irish-born person that is the exact same thing was long said about the Irish nation, and sometimes it is still said about the Irish people,” said Harrington.
“We are a nation of immigrants like the Mexicans are a nation of immigrants and you can be harshly judged, and everything he (Trump) said I am thinking that is how the Irish were treated.
“So yes, I certainly felt the hard-working Mexicans who immigrate for a better life and the very same as the Irish.
“In a different time in the history of the world, the word ‘Irish’ could have been in the remark than the word ‘Mexicans’ bringing trouble a country with their fighting, drinking and whatever.
“It’s easy to blame immigrants for trouble but then one bad egg should not colour a whole nation of people.
“So as a nation of immigrants how do you think the people of Ireland feel in hearing his remarks,”
Harrington will tee-up in today’s (THUR) starting Scottish Open having hosted last weekend Phil Mickelson along with his wife and family.
Mickelson’s visit was pretty much low key until Harrington mentioned the two couples walked into Taylor’s Three Rock on Grange Road in Dublin.
“Taylor’s Three Rock is 500-yards from my golf club and I’ve never been in it, well not until last Saturday night,” said Harrington.
“Everybody was in there seemed American and the only people who weren’t Irish were working so there was no chance of not being recognised.
“And when they saw Phil it was mayhem and it was only the staff who wanted a picture with me, so there was slight separation (laughing).”
