A day after the PGA Tour indicated it may be looking to leave Donald Trump's Doral Resort for a new WGC-Cadillac Championship home, the European Tour appears set to shun the Republican presidential candidate as well.
According to The Telegraph, officials with the European Tour and the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open have stunted plans to host the 2017 version of the perennial precursor to the Open Championship at Trump International Golf Links in Scotland.
“In 2016, the European Tour will play in 26 countries across five continents," said a European Tour spokesperson in a statement to the paper. "We are proud of this cultural diversity, which is one of our many strengths, and therefore we do not condone the comments made by Mr. Trump. In terms of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, we are still considering future locations and will make an announcement on that in due course.”
On Friday, the PGA Tour released a statement condemning Trump's ratcheted-up anti-Islamic rhetoric, including a proposed "total shutdown" of Muslims entering the United States.
“Mr. Trump’s comments are inconsistent with our strong commitment to an inclusive and welcoming environment in the game of golf,” read a PGA Tour statement.
The Tour, locked into a contract with Trump to host the annual WGC at the resort he purchased in 2012, will re-evaluate its relationship with the resort following the March 2016 event.
“The PGA Tour has had a 53-year commitment to the Doral community, the greater Miami area and the charities that have benefited from the tournament. Given this commitment, we are moving forward with holding the 2016 event at the ‘Blue Monster,'" the statement said. "Immediately after the completion of the 2016 tournament, we will explore all options regarding the event’s future.”
The USGA and PGA of America also have relationships with Trump to host big events on his courses. In 2017, the U.S. Women's Open is set to be played at Trump National in Bedminster, N.J., and Trump National in northern Virginia will host the Senior PGA Championship. The PGA Championship will also be played at Trump National Bedminster in 2022.
Trump owns or operates 17 courses around the world, but a forthcoming pair in Dubai became a source of stinging embarrassment earlier in the week. In light of Trump's comments, Dubai developer Damac Properties first meekly supported its business relationship with Trump, which includes a collaboration to build the Gil Hanse-designed Trump International Golf Club Dubai and the Tiger Woods-designed Trump World Golf Club Dubai in Damac developments in the emirate city. However, by Thursday, Damac had ordered the removal of Trump's name and likeness from billboards and signage at the project sites.
