Ireland’s Shane Lowry has no qualms there will be dozens of mingling U.S. Secret Service staff along with a beefed-up security presence at this week’s Donald Trump hosted WGC – Cadillac Championship in Miami.
Of course, it does not concern Lowry the slightest whether or not Trump wins the Republican Party nomination, and should go on to be elected USA President.
But while the potential 45th US President will certainly command much of Sunday’s closing round limelight, all Lowry wants is his 15 seconds of glory.
Ireland’s Shane Lowry working out on the Trump Doral practice range.
“No, the only thing I would want Mr. Trump to do is to hand me the trophy on Sunday night,” said Lowry.
“I guess in the bigger picture it is pretty unique for a PGA Tour event to have one of the contenders for the U.S. Presidency owning the golf course where we’re competing.
“There is plenty of tournaments were former U.S. Presidents attend as visitors such as George Bush who is a regular guest at the Shell Houston Open while Bill Clinton and his Foundation is involved with sponsorship and promotion of the tournament out in California at PGA West.
“So this week is going to be a little different and we’ll probably see that in terms of security but then I won’t mind shaking his hand come Sunday night.”
And double Masters winning Bubba Watson, and coming off a win in his last event, shares the Irishman’s views.
“It is going to be different but then we have had ex-Presidents show up at tournaments, so that is always pretty unique,” said Watson.
“But for someone who is in the middle of a Presidential race to come to an event will be pretty different, and I am sure given he owns this golf course, he will show up.
“Of it won’t be today given it is ‘Super Tuesday’ but I am sure he will show up as this is his baby and he’s a big part of this event.
“So if he was to attend to encourage us that would be something else.”
Trump continues to surge his way to the Republican Party nomination but with his comments last July that neighbouring Mexico is sending ‘rapists, drug-runners and other criminals’ into America likely to see the $US 10m event move to a non-Trump owned course from 2017.
If so, it will mean the end of a 54-year long staging of events on the course affectionately known as the ‘Blue Monsters’ since the late Billy Casper won the 1962 Doral Open.
