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Trump has become a major player in the golf industry by
building up a large portfolio of courses, including the famous
Doral layout in Miami, at a time when many clubs are closing due
to financial pressures.
His declaration as part of his presidential campaign that Mexico
is sending criminals into the United States, however, has upset
many in a sport that is trying to encourage diversity.
The 2015 Grand Slam of Golf has been moved from the Trump
National Golf Club and other bodies are under pressure to switch
their tournaments away from courses owned by the billionaire.
ID:nL1N0ZO00R]
"I think we were all disappointed to hear his comments,"
five-times major champion Mickelson told reporters ahead of the
Scottish Open on Wednesday.
"Yet it doesn't take away from all that he's done to try to help
better golf and take these properties such as the revamped Doral
and turn them around and make them prosperous.
"It puts everybody in an awkward situation because we don't
agree with those comments but yet we are appreciative of what
he's done to help promote the game of golf and that puts
everybody in a tough spot."
Mickelson is playing in the Scottish Open, which gets underway
at Gullane Golf Club on Thursday, in preparation for his bid to
win a second British Open title next week at St Andrews.
(Editing by Nick Mulvenney)
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