FILE - In this June 28, 2012 file photo, Greg Norman watches his putt on the 16th hole during the first round of the Senior Players Championship golf tournament at the Fox Chapel Country Club in Fox Chapel, Pa. Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull beat other world leaders to an early call with President-elect Donald Trump by getting his cellphone number from Greg Norman, the golfing great said on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File) (The Associated Press)
CANBERRA, Australia – An official says Australia's prime minister beat other world leaders to an early call with President-elect Donald Trump by getting his cellphone number from golfing great Greg Norman.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said last week he had a warm and "very frank" discussion with Trump within hours of the Republican nominee claiming victory in the presidential election.
A government official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media that Australia's ambassador to the U.S., Joe Hockey, got Trump's number from the U.S.-based Australian golfer.
The official could not confirm a report in Sydney's The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported that Norman had also facilitated the call.
Norman's spokeswoman said he would make a statement later Thursday.
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