Donald Trump 'hit a hole-in-one' - and issued a statement about it

Former US president claims he achieved rare sporting feat in front of professionals including Ernie Els

Donald Trump after his speech at a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 US presidential election results by Congress, in Washington, January 6, 2021. Reuters

A pro-Trump mob breaks into the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. AFP

Donald Trump and his wife Melania prepare to leave the White House on Marine One on January 20, 2021. AFP

Donald Trump and Melania at Joint Base Andrews before boarding Air Force One for the last time as president on January 20, 2021. AFP

Donald Trump speaks during a rally at the Lorain County Fairgrounds on June 26, 2021 in Wellington, Ohio. AFP

Donald Trump speaks during a visit to the border wall near Pharr, Texas on June 30, 2021. AFP

Donald Trump at a press conference announcing a class action lawsuit against big tech companies at the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, New Jersey on July 7, 2021. AFP

The former president addresses a rally on September 25, 2021 in Perry, Georgia. AFP

At a rally at the Canyon Moon Ranch festival grounds on January 15, 2022 in Florence, Arizona. AFP

Trump supporters listen to speakers prior to an appearance by the former president at a rally on January 15, 2022, in Florence, Arizona. AP

Former US president Donald Trump has claimed he hit a hole-in-one in front of some golfing legends in a statement about his own sporting feat.

Mr Trump said he was playing at the Trump International Golf Club in Florida with professionals including Ernie Els when he holed the ball with a single shot off the tee.

“Many people are asking, so I’ll give it to you now, it is 100% true. I made a hole-in-one,” he said. The statement was shared widely on social media, including by Mr Trump's spokeswoman Liz Harrington.

The former US president said the hole-in-one took place "on the 7th hole, which was playing 181-yards into a slight wind".

"I hit a 5-iron, which sailed magnificently into a rather strong wind, with approximately 5 feet of cut, whereupon it bounced twice and then went clank, into the hole."

It comes on the day a US judge ruled that Mr Trump “more likely than not” committed a felony by attempting to obstruct Congress when he tried to subvert the 2020 election in 2021.

US District Judge David Carter on Monday said: “Based on the evidence, the court finds it more likely than not that President Trump corruptly attempted to obstruct the joint session of Congress on January 6, 2021."

Mr Trump admitted in his statement on his golfing feat that he outperformed his group, which also included professionals Gene Sauers, Ken Duke and Mike Goodes, "on that one hole only".

"These great tour players noticed it before I did because their eyes are slightly better, but on that one hole only, their swings weren’t," he said.

"Anyway, there’s a lot of chatter about it, quite exciting, and people everywhere seem to be asking for the facts."

"The President made a hole-in-one. A 180-yard five-iron," said spokesman Taylor Budowich on Twitter in a video showing the former president walking over to the hole before saying "It's there".

But Mr Trump said he would not reveal who won the match, claiming he was a "very modest individual".

"Playing with that group of wonderful, talented players was a lot of fun," he said.

"I won’t tell you who won because I am a very modest individual, and you will then say I was bragging — and I don’t like people who brag!"