Rory McIlroy calls outing with Donald Trump 'simply a round of golf'

Golfer Rory McIlroy, ranked No. 3 in the world, is set to return to competitive play next week and compete in the WGC-Mexico Championship. But before that, he took to Twitter to respond to the criticism he took after playing a round of golf with...

Rory McIlroy calls outing with Donald Trump 'simply a round of golf'

Golfer Rory McIlroy, ranked No. 3 in the world, is set to return to competitive play next week and compete in the WGC-Mexico Championship.

But before that, he took to Twitter to respond to the criticism he took after playing a round of golf with President Donald Trump last weekend:

pic.twitter.com/T4N0cFyoaY

-- Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) February 24, 2017

McIlroy, sidelined with a rib injury since January, accepted an invitation to play 18 holes with Trump and two others at the Trump International Golf Club in Palm Beach, Fla., last Sunday.

The backlash was immediate and ferocious. He was called a "facist" and a "bigot" and some fans said they'd never root for him again. Others rallied around the golfer from Northern Ireland, saying they're "disgusted" by the response.

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