The White House was forced to backtrack off an initial statement that President Donald Trump played just a “couple of holes” of golf on Sunday, following a report that he played a full round.

According to the golf website No Laying Up, one of Trump’s playing companions — four-time major champion Rory McIlroy — said that the President played a full round at his golf course in West Palm Beach, FL.

“He probably shot around 80,” McIlroy told the website. “He’s a decent player for a guy in his 70’s!”

The group also included former New York Yankees player Paul O’Neill, and Clear Sports CEO Garry Singer. The Clear Sports Twitter account released a photo of the foursome.

Big battle today at Trump International with Clear CEO Garry Singer @McIlroyRory @PaulONeillYES @realDonaldTrump Drain the putt… pic.twitter.com/AZJqEVtlBT — ClearSports (@ClearSportsLLC) February 19, 2017

Following the No Laying Up report, White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that the President “decided to play a little longer” than the few holes he originally intended.

WH y’day: Trump played “a couple” holes→ report he played 18 w/McIlroy→ WH today: he “intended to play a few holes & decided to play longer” pic.twitter.com/uGVOMPbiGm — Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) February 20, 2017

At issue here is the amount of time Trump was on the course. A “couple of holes,” as the White House initially said, likely would’ve taken less than an hour. Whereas a complete round probably would’ve gone in excess of four hours, at a minimum.

In his first 32 days as President, Trump has golfed six different times — including, according to The New York Times, a 27-hole outing with Japan Prime Minster Shinzo Abe last week at two different Trump courses.

Prior to running for President, Trump regularly criticized then-President Barack Obama for being on the golf course too often.

President Obama has a major meeting on the N.Y.C. Ebola outbreak, with people flying in from all over the country, but decided to play golf! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 24, 2014

We pay for Obama’s travel so he can fundraise millions so Democrats can run on lies. Then we pay for his golf. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2014

Can you believe that,with all of the problems and difficulties facing the U.S., President Obama spent the day playing golf.Worse than Carter — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2014

[image via screengrab]

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