Paul McGinley: Trump noise could affect Rory McIlroy’s history bid

Paul McGinley has outlined his concerns for Rory McIlroy’s Masters prospects next month if the Irish superstar is unable to quieten “the noise” created by his golf date with President Donald Trump.

World number three McIlroy, who returns to action today at the WGC-Mexico Championship following a rib injury that has kept him sidelined since January, is chasing a career grand slam of major championship victories having won the US Open, Open Champions and PGA Championship and needs only a victory at August National to complete the set and join an elite handful of golfing legends in achieving the feat.

Yet the widespread criticism which followed the 27-year-old’s decision to accept an invitation to play with the US president at his Trump International course in Florida last week has threatened to derail that bid for the record books.