The 2026 Amgen Irish Open is set to begin Thursday at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, with defending champion Rory McIlroy preparing for a tournament that could attract extraordinary attention if U.S. President Donald Trump attends. Trump, who owns the resort, is expected to visit during his planned two-day trip to Ireland, though the exact timing has not been confirmed.
McIlroy said the president’s presence would make the event feel different, particularly because of the security operation required for a sitting U.S. president. “When the sitting President of the United States of America visits anywhere, it becomes a logistical challenge,” McIlroy said. He added that officials would need to secure a specific area for Trump and his delegation, potentially limiting crowd access during the weekend.
The biggest uncertainty concerns Saturday’s third round. Trump could arrive during play, a scenario tournament director Paul Gillmon said might cause a brief stoppage. “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. McIlroy acknowledged that an interruption would be disruptive but said players would follow the established protocols and resume once officials gave the all-clear.
Despite the logistical complications, McIlroy welcomed the president’s potential appearance and said it could raise the tournament’s profile internationally. He also revealed that he helped endorse Doonbeg as the Irish Open venue after the DP World Tour sought his opinion. McIlroy, a two-time Irish Open winner and last year’s champion, said the course’s quality and on-site accommodation made it a suitable location, while Trump’s presence could bring “more attention and eyeballs” to the event.