Brittany Lincicome’s Twitter spat with John Daly kicks off U.S. Women’s Open week

Let the circus begin!

Brittany Lincicome’s Twitter account became the first casualty of what promises to be a Donald Trump-inspired sideshow to the actual competition at this week’s U.S. Women’s Open. The two-time major winner said she hoped Trump would stay away from the event at his Trump National course in Bedminster, N.J. After POTUS-supporter John Daly tweeted an attack on her, she responded by saying she would take a break from social media during the major championship.

Lincicome, who recently suggested to the Chicago Tribune that Trump’s appearance at the women’s third major of the season could distract from play on the course, said on Sunday she would maintain Twitter silence during the week of the event.

“Hopefully, maybe, he doesn’t show up, and it won’t be a big debacle, and it will be about us and not him,” Lincicome said after the first round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. “I don’t know him. I have met him probably once. I think it will be fine. We’re going to play an amazing golf course and let our clubs do the talking.”

Cue Daly, who tweeted a defense of his “great friend” while recommending that critics of The Donald keep their mouths shut.

UltraViolet, a group whose mission it is to fight sexism, has been protesting the USGA’s decision to hold the Women’s Open at a Trump track and will likely redouble its efforts this week. It seems, though, that Daly’s post was the spark that fueled Lincicome’s temporary withdrawal from social media.

Lincicome, who proclaimed herself apolitical, “with nothing against the president,” also accused her critics of misinterpreting her comments.

Buckle up, golf fans. POTUS promises to make the U.S. Women’s Open a rocky ride.