Rory McIlroy has come out in defence of his round of golf with US President Donald Trump earlier this week.
McIlroy was pictured with the US President at the start of the week having shared a round him and received criticism for his actions.
The four-time major winner has this evening released a statement on Twitter to clarify his position and distance himself from any association with President Trump.
"I don’t agree with everything my friends or family say or do, but I still play golf with them," McIlroy said.
"Last week I was invited to play golf with the President of the United States. Whether you respect the person who holds the position or not, you respect the office that he holds.
"This wasn’t an endorsement nor a political statement of any kind. It was, quite simply, a round of golf. Golf was our common ground, nothing else.
"To be called a fascist and a bigot by some people because I spent time in someone’s company is ridiculous."
— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) February 24, 2017
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