Donald Trump invited to Melbourne for President’s Cup

Tourism bosses are hopeful Donald Trump’s love of the fairways could finally convince the US President to visit Australia, after it was confirmed he will be invited to Melbourne for this year’s President’s Cup.

US President Donald Trump waves upon arrival at Palm Beach International airport, Florida on April 18, 2019. (Photo by Nicholas Kamm / AFP)

Donald Trump and every living US leader will been invited to Melbourne for this year’s President’s Cup.

Golf loving President Trump will tee off one of the biggest security operations in Victoria’s history if he accepts an offer to cheer Tiger Woods and the US at Royal Melbourne.

Organisers hope Mr Trump will draw the eyes of the world to an event already likely to be attended by A-list celebrities and heads of state from around the globe.

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Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W Bush and Bill Clinton have also been invited to the biggest golf event staged in Australia this decade.

US PGA spokesman Chris Reimer confirmed Air Force One could touch down in Melbourne for December’s major event.

“As has been customary with past Presidents Cup events, all past honorary chairpersons will be invited to attend the 2019 event,’’ he said.

“Invitations will be sent in the coming months’’

Mr Trump was expected to visit Australia during a tour of South-East Asia last November but instead sent Vice-President Mike Pence.

US president Donald Trump, is an avid golfer and will be invited to Melbourne for this year’s President’s Cup.

There was speculation he could make his first trip as President to Australia as early as July but sporting chiefs believe his love of the fairways could convince him to delay it to December.

Sports and Major Events Minister Martin Pakula said President Trump or any former President that visited Melbourne for the event would “be afforded every courtesy.”.

“President Trump and former presidents Obama, Clinton and George W. Bush all attended the last Presidents Cup, in New Jersey two years ago,’’ he said.

“In line with the practice of the Presidents Cup, we fully anticipate that tournament organisers will invite President Trump and past presidents to Melbourne in December.’’

Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W Bush and Bill Clinton have also been invited to the biggest golf event staged in Australia this decade.

Organisers are planning for both scenarios but if Mr Trump or any former US President’s attend, they will bring their own beefed up entourages as well as demanding strict security details.

The last US president to visit Melbourne was George H.W Bush in 1992.

When Mr Obama visited Brisbane in 2014 for the G20 Leaders Summit it sparked epic security shutdowns.

Mr Reimer could not say what sort of scenes would be caused in Melbourne if Mr Trump — who owns 17 golf courses around the world — visits Victoria.

“As a practice, we won’t comment on any arrangements other than we continuously examine and work through all operational aspects of the event,’’ he said.

Tiger Woods is expected to be playing in the President’s Cup following his victory in last week’s Masters. Picture: Michael Klein

The spotlight will shine bright on Melbourne regardless of who attends the President’s Cup, with Tiger Woods playing the event in the afterglow of his incredible Masters victory last week.

Former Presidents Mr Obama, George W. Bush and Mr Clinton all turned golf fans for the 2017 President’s Cup where Mr Trump presented the winner’s trophy.

Woods and Ernie Els sat with Nelson Mandela when the President’s Cup was staged in South Africa.

“The President Cup’s connection to International leaders is something that is unique and separates it from other sporting events,’’ Mr Reimer said.

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