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A couple of high South African golfers were thrown on Wednesday in a tense exchange at the White House.
Ernie Els and Retief Gooen joined Cyril Ramaphos, President of South Africa, to a meeting at an oval office with the President Donald Trump.
While the meeting between the two leaders began a cordial start, the tenor meeting turned a noticeable turnaround when Trump faced Ramaphos with a video that allegedly showed serious treatment of white farmers. Trump also introduced Ramaphos documents that he claimed to be the killings of “thousands” of Africans.
Ramaphosa offered multiple rejection of claims and made it clear that the statements were not representative in the videos for the policy of his government. Els and Goosen were then brought to the discussion.
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President Donald Trump meets in South African President Cyril Ramaphos at the White House oval office on Wednesday, May 21, in Washington. (AP/Evan Vucci)
Trump welcomed Golfers as he presented the president of South Africa.
“I really appreciate what you showed up. It really helps us with our thought process,” Trump said. “You two are fantastic,” Trump added. “What kind of golfing group that South Africa had.”
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Els previously held the world no. 1 Golf ranking. He presented his passport and said that “proud South African” before referenced “Apartheid’s age” and invited to unity.
“I know there was a lot of anger through the transition. A lot of things happened in Apartheid,” he said. “We grew up in Aparthey’s time, but I think two injustices are not right.”
Retief Goose Tineting goes to one in the first round Galleri Classic at the Mission Hills rural club in Rancho Mirage, California, March 28, 2025. (Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun/USA Today Network via Imagings Images)
Els added that he wanted to attend the meeting and hoped he would show it useful for his country.
“We really wanted to meet you, get to know the administration and see our way forward because we still want to see our country flourish,” Els added.
Gusen, double Open US Open winnerThey asked about farms in South Africa.
“My father was a property developer as well as a farmer with somewhat working -time, and, yes, some of his friends were killed. The farm is still going. My brothers are taking him, but it’s a constant battle with farms. … They try to burn farms, to persecute you. So that is to care for life as a farmer.
Goose said that his family members who lived on the farms had electric fences and lived in fear of crime.
“They left behind electric fences, you know, try to be, at night, safe. But it is constantly whenever you leave that something can happen. … Both were attacked in their homes. My mom was attacked in our house when she was 80. But the guys live in spite of everything.”
Golfers Retief Goosen and Ernie ELS stand at an oval office during a meeting of President Donald Trump and President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphos at the White House in Washington, DC, May 21, 2025. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)
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Els and Goosen are well aware of the seated US president. Before Trump’s first term of office, he posted a photo on social media himself and Elsa.
“Ernie Els and I to Trump National Doral,” he ordered in 2013 Facebook post.
Trump is a passionate golfer. His real estate portfolio also includes golf course.
Fox News’ Greg Norman contributed to this report.
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