Rory McIlroy is the needle at the Irish Open. As the undisputed greatest golfer to hail from the island of Ireland, arguably the greatest active golfer alive and the defending champion, McIlroy will have the fans fully behind him this week.
But, at least for one day of the event, McIlroy is expected to have some competition in the fame and attention departments — when President Trump makes an appearance.
This week’s Amgen Irish Open is being held at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, Ireland, and President Trump is expected to attend at least one of the weekend rounds.
In brief comments to BBC Sport on Tuesday and in his Irish Open press conference on Wednesday, McIlroy addressed Trump’s expected visit, shared his thoughts on how the president’s appearance would impact the tournament and even revealed his direct role in bringing the Irish Open to Trump’s course.
McIlroy won his first Irish Open in 2016. Two years ago, he finished runner-up at Royal County Down, before claiming his second title last year at the K Club, which on Wednesday he called “a magical weekend.”
Should Trump appear at Doonbeg, the six-time major champion is expecting the tournament to feel different than the past two years.
“Look, it’s going to be different with him being here,” McIlroy told BBC Sport on Tuesday. “But, you know, we’re here to play a golf tournament, and it’s a good golf course and keep our head down and play.”
Specifically, McIlroy pointed out “logistical” issues that arise from intensive security measures put in place anywhere a U.S. president travels.
“I think the weekend especially when he’s here, you know, crowds will be limited, obviously, there’s a lot that goes on,” McIlroy said. “So, yeah, logistically it provides some challenges. Absolutely.”
McIlroy expanded on that thought during his pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday at the Irish Open.
“I think when the sitting President of the United States of America visits anywhere, it becomes a logistical challenge,” McIlroy said. “There’s a lot that goes into it. They obviously have to lock down a specific area and make sure that it’s safe for him to travel into, and the entire delegation, whoever that is. Logistically, it provides a bit of a challenge but we are at one of his properties that he has kindly provided for us to play a golf tournament.”
That’s not to say McIlroy thinks Trump shouldn’t attend. Since Trump is the course owner and president, McIlroy made it clear that his attendance is welcome.
“I said yesterday, the President of the United States wants to come watch a little bit of golf. I think we are all happy to be here, grateful to be here,” McIlroy said. “His presence at the Irish Open makes it a truly international event. That brings more attention and eyeballs to the Irish Open, and it can only be a good thing.”
Not only does McIlroy welcome Trump’s appearance, but he also played a role in the Irish Open coming to Trump’s course in Doonbeg, McIlroy said during his press conference.
McIlroy said that he and President Trump’s son, Eric, live near each other in Florida, and their kids attend the same school.
The DP World Tour also asked for McIlroy’s opinion on holding the Irish Open at Trump’s Doonbeg course, and he approved of the idea.
“So the DP World Tour reached out to me and said, ‘Do you think Doonbeg will be a suitable venue for the Irish Open?’ I said, ‘Look, I haven’t been there but from all accounts, I hear it’s a very, very good golf course with accommodation onsite,” McIlroy said. “The Irish Open has not been in this part of the world in several years, since Lahinch in 2019. I think it would be a good thing.”
Which day the president will attend the Irish Open is an open question. Trump is planning a two-day trip to Ireland beginning on Saturday, and he plans to meet with the Irish Taoiseach, or prime minister, Michael Martin.
BBC Sport has reported that Trump could be at the tournament on Sunday and could present the trophy to the winner.
But according to comments Irish Open tournament director Paul Gillmon made to the Irish Examiner, Trump could also potentially arrive midway through Saturday’s third round, which could lead to a stoppage in play.
“If that was to happen, it would be kept to an absolute minimum to not disrupt play and keep the players moving,” Gillmon told the Irish Examiner.
During his press conference Wednesday morning, McIlroy was asked if Trump arriving during play would be a distraction to players, and he admitted it would be “disruptive.”
“Yeah, I don’t know what the protocol will be on Saturday when the President arrives. Look, is it a little disruptive to play? Absolutely,” McIlroy said. “But again, there’s protocols in place for a reason, and all we can do is follow them and abide by them, and whenever we’re ready to play again, we put our heads down and we go and play.”
The U.S. Secret Service is keeping details of President Trump’s visit scant for security reasons, so Irish Open organizers are preparing for multiple possibilities.
“We’ve put in place measures so that we can communicate with all stakeholders as to what’s happening,” Gillmon said in his Irish Examiner interview. “We’ve worked with the tournament team in terms of what the scenario would be if he has to come in during play, and we will execute on that if and when it’s confirmed.”
The 2026 Amgen Irish Open officially kicks off Thursday, Sept 10.
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