PGA Tour golfer Sam Burns has divided opinion after he posted a photograph of himself on social media with a dead deer.
Burns, 28, posted the snap from a recent hunting trip on 19 November.
It shows the golfer, who represented the U.S. side at the 2023 Ryder Cup, wearing camouflage and a MAGA hat.
“Deer hunting is great again,” the five-time PGA Tour winner wrote in a clear nod to Donald Trump’s sweeping election victory over Kamala Harris.
The photograph was ‘liked’ by fellow PGA Tour members Billy Horschel and Rickie Fowler.
Nick Dunlap, who turned pro this season after becoming the first Amateur to win on Tour in 33 years, replied: “Where does one get such a hat?”
This is not the first time this year that a golfer has sparked controversy when it comes to hunting.
Brian Harman spoke of his passion for hunting when he returned to The Open after winning the major in 2023 at Royal Liverpool.
Some British fans dubbed him ‘The Butcher of Hoylake.’
In a Golf Digest interview, Harman said: “I love hunting, my brother and I do a lot of turkey hunting
“I love to deer hunt, I do a lot of bow hunting, we duck hunt. I killed the biggest deer of my life two years ago.
“I don’t shoot deer that aren’t mature. A lot of people say it’s cruel to kill an animal, but for me instead of depending on a grocery store—I enjoy eating meat—instead of depending on a grocery store, I go and I kill an animal that’s been roaming free its entire life and is about to die anyway.
“And I butcher it myself, I take care of all the meat myself and then I eat it or I give it to someone to eat or I cook it for someone else to eat.
“My goal is to leave the land in a better place than I found it. have great respect for wildlife. I’ve got a lot of layers, man. I’m like an onion.”
Here’s the picture of Burns:
And here’s some comments:
“It would be a sport if the deer had guns…”
“I knew there was a reason I like him.”
“This is why golfers are the best athletes in the world.”
“I hope Sam three-putts every green this year, what a sad w—er.”
“I’m just here to watch the libs comment.”
“It’s a way of life where he is from.”
“Cool, nice to know I now hate Sam Burns.”
What is your opinion on this topic?