LOS ANGELES: The PGA Grand Slam of Golf, featuring the year's major champions, will be moved from Donald Trump's Los Angeles course in the wake of his controversial remarks about Mexican immigrants.
The PGA of America announced Tuesday that it was pulling the two-day October event from the Trump National Los Angeles by mutual agreement with the Republican US presidential candidate.
"The PGA of America met with Donald J. Trump yesterday and the parties mutually agreed that it is in the best interest of all not to conduct the 2015 PGA Grand Slam of Golf at Trump National Los Angeles," the sanctioning body said in a statement.
"The PGA of America is in the process of exploring options... and will comment further at the appropriate time."
Several businesses have cut ties with the 69-year-old billionaire after he offended many Latinos during a June speech announcing his presidential campaign.
"When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best," Trump said last month.
"They're sending people that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people."
The Trump Organization confirmed the tournament was being moved, through mutual agreement.
"Due to the controversy surrounding statements made by Mr Trump having to do with illegal immigrants pouring into the United States from Mexico and other parts of the world, Mr Trump does not want his friends at the PGA of America to suffer any consequences or backlash with respect to the Grand Slam of Golf," it said.
So far, the only player who has clinched a place in the Grand Slam is American Jordan Spieth, who won the Masters in April and the US Open last month for his first two career majors.
He would be joined by winners of next week's British Open and next month's PGA Championship.
A points system for top showings at all four majors is used to determine an order to fill spots vacated due to injury or in the case of multi-major winners such as Spieth.
Other Trump golf properties play host to US PGA Tour events.
The World Golf Championships Cadillac Championship is played at Trump-owned Doral in Miami, while the PGA Puerto Rico Open is staged at Trump International.
Trump has also purchased the famed Scottish golf resort Turnberry that has hosted four British Opens.
Trump National in New Jersey is set to host the 2017 US Women's Open, an LPGA Tour major, and the 2022 PGA Championship, a men's major.
Comments
Comments are closed.