Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Donald Trump, Golf, Matt Le Tissier, Southampton
Ben McCrum
US President Donald Trump was once brutally rejected by a professional golf player for a bizarre reason.
Since being elected into the oval office for his second term as President of the United States, it's no secret that Trump has spent a considerable amount of time on the golf course.
According to Trump Golf Track, the 78-year-old has spent as many as 24 days playing golf since being sworn in on January 20.
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During this time, Trump has played with some of the biggest names in golf, but there is one player who turned down the opportunity to meet the president, and his reason was shocking.
In recent years, Trump has shared the gold course with the likes of Tiger Woods and LIV golf star Bryson Dechambeau, who recently came agonising close to winning The Masters at Augusta National, having started the day just two shots behind winner Rory McIlroy.
But, when he LIV player Richard Bland to join him for a dinner at his golf resort in Miami, the 52-year-old declined, nut not for the reason you might expect.
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"I'd had a pretty busy week," Bland told Mail Sport.
"I'd had a big dinner the night before and I didn't want two late nights in a row. I'm sure I wasn't missed."
Several other big players from across the LIV circuit joined Trump as his other guests at the event, but for Bland a good night's sleep had to take priority.
At the peak of his career, the English golfer made it up to 48th in April 2022, but is currently enjoying a late resurgence in his career, never finishing below 24th in LIV's seasonal standings.
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When asked what has led to his recent uptake in form, Bland revealed that recent rounds with former Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier has helped sharpen his game.
"I've known him 30-odd years, He's a great mate and I'm a Saints fan," Bland said.
"We play half a dozen to 10 rounds a year, 10 or 20 quid on it each time. He's a proper player (a handicap of one, or thereabouts) and he's taken a bit of money off me over the years."
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Bland will no doubt be hoping that his rounds with Le Tissier will pay off this week as he tees off at the US PGA Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday.