The strongest Amgen Irish Open field in years, which includes nine major champions, eight of the world’s top 50 and 20 Ryder Cup players, simply can’t divert away from the imminent arrival of the US President Donald Trump with the world set to watch proceedings at Doonbeg.
In the vacuum of information about any firm details of when the Marine One helicopter is likely to descend at the West Clare resort, the chatter among the players of possible stoppages in play upon the arrival of President Trump, which could happen as early as Saturday afternoon, has been impossible to ignore.
“If that was to happen, it would be kept to an absolute minimum so as to not disrupt play and keep the players moving,” said Paul Gillmon, championship director of the DP World Tour’s Irish Open.
Rory McIlroy, who played golf with President Trump at Doral in Florida during his first term in the Oval Office, accepts that the prospect of a halt in play is not ideal but out of the control of the tournament organisers.
“I don’t think I’d welcome the fact that we’d have to stop play but at the same time, if that’s what the protocol is and that’s what the United States Secret Service says, then that’s what we have to do,” he said yesterday on the eve of the tournament start.
“McIlroy comes into Doonbeg seeking a record-equalling third Irish Open title.”
So how might this impact on a tournament of notable prestige, a 99-year-old title with a field of distinction to match?
“It will be disruptive in some ways absolutely but at the same time, I think everyone will enjoy being here, staying on site with the wonderful hospitality so overall I think we’ll all have a great week,” McIlroy added.
McIlroy comes into Doonbeg seeking a record-equalling third Irish Open title to match the feats of fellow major championship winners, Nick Faldo, Severiano Ballesteros and Bernhard Langer along with eight-time European Order of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie.
“The greats of the European game and I’d obviously love to put my name alongside them as someone who’s won this tournament three times,” he declared.
McIlroy’s form in his two most recent events has represented his best play since donning the Green Jacket at Augusta last April.
He was tied for the lead with three holes to play at the BMW Championship in St Louis only to finish third behind a fast-finishing Wyndham Clark and then followed up with a fourth-place finish at the Tour Championship in Atlanta.
Rory McIlroy is aiming to defend his title this week
“I’m excited for this week but I’m also excited for the next few weeks. I’m playing six times between now and the end of the year – all tournaments that I love to go and play in and I’ve got a Race to Dubai to try and win so there’s certainly a lot to play for and I’m excited about that.
“I’m working through a few things in my swing. I’d obviously love to at least give myself chances to win, put myself in that environment where I feel like I have a chance because not only then will I have a chance to win tournaments, but it also tells me where my game is and where things are trending and what things are working and what things I need to keep working on.”
For a long time the Irish Open held Shane Lowry greatest memory in the sport.
That changed following his Open Championship success, but the memories of becoming champion 17 years ago at Baltray as an amateur are always with him.
Recently he has been envious of his good friend McIlroy for success in the Masters, and that extended to the Irish Open last year he revealed.
Ahead of the 2026 edition, Lowry is feeling particularly rested and in a positive mindset, saying: “I’ve had a few weeks off. I feel kind of nicely refreshed.
“It was nice to have a few weeks in Florida with my family and some good down time. I did some good practice. I feel really good coming into this week. I feel rejuvenated.
“I always said it, well I said it for 10 years, that I thought [winning the Irish Open] would be the greatest thing I’d do in golf, and then I went and won in Portrush.
“It’s very, very special. I’ve an Irish Open under my belt, and that’s great. But I’d love to do it again. Watching Rory do it in The K Club last year made me a little bit jealous of him. I’d love to be there on the 18th green for that winning putt on Sunday.”
Lowry too feels the importance of a good finish with Ryder Cup points set to become a factor.
Doonbeg, opened for play since 2002, has a rugged coastline and some spectacular holes on the ocean side of the course.
Shane Lowry: ‘I’ve an Irish Open under my belt, and that’s great. But I’d love to do it again’
After three weeks of mixed weather with plenty of rain following a dry summer, it’s in superb condition, green and lush. While the course length is relatively short at just over 6,800 yards, the overall par is reduced from 72 to 70 with the long first and 13th holes, reduced to four-shotters.
With a broad mix of typically autumnal weather forecast for the tournament with plenty of wind and rain, the high duneland course by Doughmore Bay will likely pose a serious challenge over the next four days.
The greatest challenge will be off the course as security and planning around Trump’s arrival comes into focus.
Just how it impacts the play, if at all, remains to be seen.
Padraig Harrington will compete in the event for the 31st time in succession. Seamus Power and Tom McKibbin also feature. Roscommon’s Thomas Higgins will make his pro debut on an invitation, while other invites include Cormac Sharvin, Max Kennedy, Liam Nolan and Mark Power.
The field also includes the likes of Jon Rahm, Tyrell Hatton, LIV star Joaquin Niemann, Bob McIntyre, Patrick Reed and Brooks Koepka.
The Irish Open has more talking points than ever before and attention on the event will undoubtedly be at an all-time high.