Rory McIlroy Speaks Out About Trump’s Presence At Irish Open

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Rory McIlroy Speaks Out About Trump’s Presence At Irish Open

Rory McIlroy has thrown his support behind Donald Trump’s expected arrival at this week’s Amgen Irish Open, dismissing any suggestion that players should resist the president watching golf at a course he owns.

Rather than treating the visit as an intrusion, McIlroy argued it could boost the event. He told Golf.com that a sitting president turning up lifts the profile of the competition.

“His presence at the Irish Open makes it a truly international event,” McIlroy said. “That brings more attention and eyeballs to the Irish Open, and it can only be a good thing.” (RELATED: Scottie Scheffler Reveals ‘Well-Earned’ Post-Season Treat After Championship Win)

The tournament runs at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, County Clare, the first time the venue has staged Ireland’s national open, according to BBC Sport. Trump is spending two days in Ireland and plans to appear at the DP World Tour event over the weekend, Golf.com reported, with a stop to meet Taoiseach Micheál Martin also on his schedule.

The world’s currently ranked number two best golfer also had a hand in bringing the tournament to Doonbeg. McIlroy told Golf.com that the DP World Tour asked whether he considered the Trump-owned links a fit for the Irish Open, and he endorsed the idea, noting the event had not been held in that part of the country since Lahinch in 2019.

McIlroy’s ties to the family run deeper still, as he lives near Eric Trump in Florida and their children attend the same school. Eric Trump described McIlroy as a “friend of the family,” the Irish Star reported.

McIlroy told the Irish Star that securing the site means locking down access for Trump and his delegation, a task he called a challenge while stressing the players would stay focused. “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 so we’ll keep our heads down and play,” McIlroy told BBC Northern Ireland. He expects thinner crowds on the days Trump attends.

The two men have golfed together before, and Trump saluted McIlroy on Truth Social after his April Masters win. McIlroy, the defending champion, is chasing a third Irish Open title in a field that includes Jon Rahm, Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka, according to BBC Sport. Play continues through Sunday.