Some of the biggest sporting names on this island played starring roles in Wednesday’s Irish Open Pro-Am at Trump International in Doonbeg.
The hosting of the event at Doonbeg has drawn much controversy due to its obvious links to the US President, but there was a feel-good factor in the air on Wednesday for one of the best days in the Irish sporting calendar.
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This year’s Irish Open field is impressively star-studded, with home heroes Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington joined by international superstars such as Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, and Patrick Reed.
Of course, the big draw for the home crowd is Rory McIlroy’s drive to claim a third crown at his national open.
However, Wednesday saw the spotlight shone on stars from other sports, as greats of Irish rugby, Gaelic football, hurling, and soccer took to the links course in County Clare for the pro-am.
Even with the greats of the golfing field in action, two of the greatest hurlers of the modern age ended up playing starring roles.
Hurling greats star at Irish Open Pro-Am
The results from the Irish Open Pro-Am were shared by golf journalist Brian Keogh on Twitter on Thursday morning, and revealed that some greats of Irish sport put in great performances at Doonbeg.
So, who won the Amgen Irish Open Pro-Am? The GAA lads did well. pic.twitter.com/BJXecgjyRt
— Brian Keogh (@IrishGolfDesk) September 10, 2026
Each team consisted of one of the professionals who will be taking on the Irish Open this weekend, alongside three amateurs – many of whom were well-known faces from the world of sport.
The winning professional was Eugenio Chacarra, whose team finished three shots clear of two-time Irish Open champion Jon Rahm’s selection, which included Dermot Desmond.
A glance further down the leaderboard shows an especially star-studded team finishing in 8th place. French pro Martin Couvra was joined by Irish rugby legend Conor Murray, Limerick hurler Gearoid Hegarty, and Olympic medalist and ex-boxer Michael Conlan.
Hegarty is the Hurler of the Year-in-waiting and put in one of the most impressive performances of the day, winning the “Nearest the Pin” competition for male golfers at the 14th hole. Hegarty’s shot at the pin got within 3.6 feet of the hole. The female winner was Ann Liguori.
Another hurling great was to win the other unique contest on the day. Joe Canning was one of the biggest names in the entire field, and his hurling skills proved vital as he claimed victory in the “Longest Drive” contest at the 8th. Unfortunately, information is unavailable as to how far the Galway legend struck the ball.
The female “Longest Drive” contest was won by Munster and Irish rugby great Fiona Hayes.
Perhaps the most impressive collection of sporting celebrities on one team came on Joe Dean’s selection, with the Englishman playing alongside Liverpool great Robbie Fowler, Irish rugby hero Bundee Aki, and 2024 Footballer of the Year Paul Conroy. They would finish in 25th place, 18 shots off the win.
The Irish Open is well underway, and the Pro-Am once again produced the goods on Wednesday.