Donald Trump has reacted angrily after the World Golf Championship tournament was moved from his course in Miami to Mexico City, saying he hopes organisers have “kidnapping insurance”.
The PGA Tour announced on Wednesday that the championship will move to Mexico City having been hosted at Trump National Doral in Miami, Florida since 2007.
In a statement, the PGA Tours commissioner Tim Finchem explained a lack of sponsorship meant they were forced to re-locate the competition. The seven-year agreement is aided by a group of Mexican companies headed by Ricardo Salinas and his son Benjamin.
“Since the debut of the World Golf Championships in 1999, the intent has always been to conduct these tournaments around the world,” he said. “Once it became apparent that we would not be able to secure sponsorship at levels that would sustain the event and help it grow at Trump National Doral, we begun having serious discussions with Ricardo and Benjamin Salinas, who expressed strong interest in bringing a tournament to Mexico City to benefit golf and its development throughout Mexico.”
Trump reacted typically by telling Fox News: “I hope they have kidnapping insurance.”
In a statement, the presumptive Republican nominee said: “It is a sad day for Miami, the United States and the game of golf to have the PGA Tour consider moving […] to Mexico,” he said. “[…] the PGA Tour has put profit ahead of thousands of American jobs, millions of dollars in revenues for local communities and charities and the enjoyment of hundreds and thousands of fans who make the tournament an annual tradition. This decision only further embodies the very reason I am running for President of the United States.”
Much has been reported on Trump’s relationship with Mexico especially after his pledge to build a “BIG BEAUTIFUL WALL” separating the two countries should he take office.
He has since attempted to show his appreciation for Mexican and hispanic culture by eating a taco bowl on Cinco de Mayo in a move that was roundly mocked on social media.
Trump owns 15 golf courses across the world including the Trump Turnery golf course in Scotland, which he will visit on the day the results of the EU referendum will be announced.
