PGA cancels plans to play 2022 championship at Trump golf course

The organisers of the Professional Golfer’s Association of America (PGA) championship have cancelled plans to hold the event at President Trump’s Bedminster, N.J., golf club in 2022 — a few days after the invasion of Capitol Hill by his supporters.

Although the association didn’t mention the riot in a statement by Jim Richerson, PGA of America’s president, on Monday, it, however, said the group’s board voted on Sunday night to “exercise the right to terminate the agreement” with Trump’s course.

“The PGA of America Board of Directors voted tonight to exercise the right to terminate the agreement to play the 2022 PGA Championship at Trump Bedminster,” the statement read.

“It’s become clear that conducting the PGA Championship at Trump Bedminster would be detrimental to the PGA of America brand and would put at risk the PGA’s ability to deliver on many programs and sustain the longevity of our mission.

“It was a decision made to ensure that PGA of America and PGA professionals can continue to lead and grow our great game for decades to come.”

The cancellation comes amid intense calls in the golf world for leaders of the sport to distance themselves from Trump.

The PGA championship is one of the four “majors” in men’s professional golf and Trump’s Bedminster had been the scheduled host of the event since 2014.

Trump supporters had invaded the US Capitol Hill on Wednesday, in a failed bid to overturn the win of President-elect Joe Biden.

At least five people died, including a Capitol police officer.