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Cape Town - Newly-elected USA President Donald Trump played a round of golf alongside Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Africa's Ernie Els at the Trump National Golf Club last weekend.
READ: Ernie Els joins Donald Trump for a round of golf
Els, who owns a home near Trump National Golf Club in Florida, has a section on his website dedicated to his "friend", describing him as "the most recognised businessman in the world, and the Trump brand is readily acknowledged as representing the gold standard around the globe."
This is the second time a star golfer has enjoyed the company of Trump on a golf course in recent months, after Tiger Woods teed off with the then-President elect in December.
Just two days after Els' round with Trump, it was confirmed that Trump asked for a teleconference with South African President, Jacob Zuma, on Monday.
However, when news broke of Saturday's golf day, South Africans weren't too pleased with the four-time major winner taking to the fairways with the controversial US President.
On Sunday Ernie Els played golf with Donald Trump - on Monday Trump phones Zuma. Wonder what Ernie said to Trump? pic.twitter.com/hhwm1BJyXu
— Theo Vorster (@sakegesprek) February 13, 2017
Trump plays golf with @TheBig_Easy on Saturday then first thing Monday morning he wants to speak to Zuma? What the hell did you say, Ernie?!
— Junia Stainbank (@mjstainbank) February 13, 2017
@realDonaldTrump @TheBig_Easy Well bye bye Ernie as a credible person.
— Peter Howitt (@peterrhowitt) February 14, 2017
Ernie Els has never spoken out about social & economic conditions in SA just makes millions. Now buddies with evil Trump. Greed trumps good?
— Don Fraser (@donscot23) February 12, 2017
#dontplaygolfwithfascists @TheBig_Easy . Not if you want your wine consumed by the millions appalled at him and his policies. https://t.co/dn3vUCtvBG
— Nicole Fritz (@Nicole_Fritz) February 12, 2017
Disappointed in you, @TheBig_Easy. Really disappointed.
— Lesley Wright (@les_wright) February 12, 2017
Why on earth would Ernie Els @TheBig_Easy play golf with racist #Trump! So disappointing ?? @RediTlhabi @Azania_ https://t.co/s4lpXfKnpg
— Ayesha Nagdee (@AyeshaNagdee) February 13, 2017
What? @TheBig_Easy used to be cool. What happened man? https://t.co/0NsR11qn1S
— Jeremy GH (@JGreenbrookHeld) February 13, 2017
@realDonaldTrump @TheBig_Easy ugh you ruin everything. Now I cant even like my favorite golfer anymore ?? #byeernie
— Caitlin Robinson (@CRob1613) February 13, 2017
Annnnnd I will never cheer for @TheBig_Easy again... https://t.co/JSZv4hy6iq
— Timmy from the Tech (@SteampunkTimmy) February 13, 2017
@realDonaldTrump @TheBig_Easy I will be calling Els the Big Sleazy from now on!
— Patrick Whitney (@njceltic88) February 13, 2017
Ernie Els @TheBig_Easy didn't mention anything about it on his feed. Obviously embarrassed https://t.co/A6tacIno1V
— Phil Hendrie (@realphilhendrie) February 13, 2017
Slow lessons for a slow learner @TheBig_Easy @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/hnubxplFv7
— Johan Pienaar (@JohanPienaar) February 13, 2017
@TheBig_Easy Disappointing and certainly giving the wrong message as role model to all South Africans. Sad moment
— Chris Badenhorst (@CBAD01) February 13, 2017
Els, who was forced to withdraw from last week's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, is expected to be in the field for this week's PGA Tour event, the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club, starting on Thursday, February 17.
