McIlroy says outing with Trump 'not an endorsement'

Mar 6, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Rory McIlroy waves to the gallery on the 18th green during the final round at TPC Blue Monster at Trump National Doral. John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

(Reuters) - Former number one golfer Rory McIlroy said on Friday that his outing last week with President Donald Trump was not a political endorsement of America's new leader but rather "simply a round of golf."

The decision by the Northern Irish golfer to accept the invitation to play with the president at his Trump National golf course in Florida has come under fire on social media by some who saw it as approval of Trump and his policies.