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Irish Open to Feel 'Different' with Trump Visit, Says McIlroy
Confirmed
In Short: Rory McIlroy acknowledges that this year's Irish Open will be a different spectacle with US President Donald Trump expected to attend the tournament's latter stages.
Trump is expected to attend the event, which is being held at his resort in the County Clare village of Doonbeg, as part of a two-day visit to Ireland. He may also present the Irish Open winner with the trophy on Sunday evening amid a significantly enhanced security presence at the property he purchased in 2014.
Who are we to say no?" McIlroy responded to the logistical challenges associated with Trump's visit. "Logistically it proves some challenges, absolutely, but at the same time if he wants to come and watch the Irish Open who are we to say no?
McIlroy, who finished runner-up to Rasmus Hojgaard at Royal County Down in 2024, is intent on not allowing the distractions of the United States' President's attendance to get in the way of his defence of the Amgen Irish Open crown he won in dramatic fashion last year at The K Club.
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- McIlroy is hoping to win his third Irish Open title this week Rory McIlroy admits this year's Irish Open will feel like a "different" spectacle given US President Donald Trump's anticipated visit during the tournament's latter stages.
- "I probably went a few years where I wasn't very proud of how I played in the Irish Open," said McIlroy, whose first Irish Open success also came at the K Club in 2016.
- "It's going to be different with him being here but we're here to play a golf tournament and it's a good golf course and keep our head down and play." During his long-planned visit to Ireland, Trump will meet Irish President Catherine Connolly and hold a bilateral meeting with the Taoiseach [Irish prime minister] Micheal Martin.
- "I think the weekend, especially when he's here [will feel different], crowds will be limited," added McIlroy.
- McIlroy also finished runner-up to Rasmus Hojgaard at Royal County Down in 2024 and the world number two believes he is "more relaxed" playing in front of home crowds having also secured a top-10 finish in last year's Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
- “Yeah, look, it’s going to be different with him [Donald Trump] being here,” McIlroy told BBC Sport Northern Ireland.
- The United States president is in Ireland this week for an official two-day visit, with expectations that he will attend the DP World Tour tournament hosted at Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg.
- “Congratulations to Rory McIlroy on another Great Championship, The Masters!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.