Businessman Donald Trump has said he expects to win the US presidential race after he flew into Scotland.
The 69-year-old made the comments as he arrived at Turnberry, the famous South Ayrshire golf resort he bought last year that is currently staging the British Women’s Open.
Wearing a red campaign hat with the message “make America great again”, he stepped off his private helicopter and spoke to the media at the entrance to Turnberry Hotel.
He said: “It’s been an amazing campaign, it’s doing really well.
“New polls just came out today showing that we’re leading a lot, we’re number one in the polls and it’s an amazing tribute to a lot of people.”
Mr Trump was asked if he thinks he can win the presidential race and answered: “I do, I do expect to.”
He added: “I think I represent a big section (of US society), the poll today had 16 or 17 candidates and had me at 25% and the next person was at 12%, so that’s a big difference.
“We represent a very big section.”
Mr Trump, who is seeking the Republican nomination in the presidential race, was asked about recent controversies stirred by his comments about Mexican immigration to the US.
He said: “In another poll I’m number one with Hispanics, I know you’re surprised to hear that, but I said if I get the nomination I will win with the Hispanics.”
He added: “Illegal immigration is a huge subject in the United States and I brought it to the fore, and everyone is thanking me for it.
“I think that’s one of the reasons I became number one in the polls.”
Despite his outspoken nature, Mr Trump avoided getting involved in British politics when he was asked about immigration to the UK.
He said:”You know what, that’s your problem, not my problem.”
Earlier this month the PGA of America announced it had been “mutually agreed” that the Grand Slam of Golf – a 36-hole event contested by the year’s major champions – would not take place as scheduled at Trump National in Los Angeles on October 20 and 21 after his controversial campaign statements.
He said that his presence at Turnberry, however, would not detract from the Women’s Open.
“I think it’s going to be great, everyone has asked me to be here, the Tour has asked me to be here and the world has asked me to be here, and I have a big stake in this land, it’s spectacular here,” the businessman said.
The Women’s Open is the first major event staged at Turnberry since it was taken over by Mr Trump and a redesign of the course is to start later this year along with a refurbishment of the hotel.
He said: “We’re going to have an amazing day and a half at Turnberry, and we’re going to watch the greatest women golfers in the world.
“I love Turnberry, we’ve done a lot of work here and we have the women’s British Open here, and it’s going to be a really exciting weekend.”