Irish Open 2026
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The gist
Trump's Doonbeg resort hosts the Irish Open for the first time, with Rory McIlroy defending.
The venue choice and Trump's expected visit mix politics with golf.
Background
The Irish Open has not been played in this part of Ireland for several years, since Lahinch in 2019. The DP World Tour reached out to McIlroy about Doonbeg as a suitable venue, and he supported it, noting the course and onsite accommodation. The event precedes the DP World Tour's flagship BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth next week. Trump's expected weekend visit to his Doonbeg property has added a political dimension, with protests planned in Dublin.
How it unfolded
- Sep 7, 2026BBC reports Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in County Clare hosts the Irish Open for the first time, with Rory McIlroy headlining as defending champion.
- Sep 8, 2026LIV Golf files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy late Tuesday, owing money to hundreds of creditors, with Jon Rahm at the top of the list.
- Sep 9, 2026McIlroy says the DP World Tour asked him about Doonbeg as a venue and he supported it; he predicts some players will leave LIV because contracts were breached by the bankruptcy filing.
- Sep 9, 2026Asked about Trump's expected arrival, McIlroy says it will be different but the focus is on playing a good golf course.
- Sep 11, 2026Trump plans to fly to Ireland for a weekend at Doonbeg after observing the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks; protests are planned in Dublin over his visit.
- Sep 12, 2026 (expected)Trump is expected to arrive Saturday, meet Irish President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Micheal Martin, and may present the Irish Open winner with the trophy on Sunday evening.
Who’s saying what
- Defending champion
- Rory McIlroy says the DP World Tour asked him about Doonbeg as a venue and he supported it, calling it a very good golf course with onsite accommodation.
- Defending champion
- McIlroy says LIV at the start looked more attractive financially than LIV 2.0 might be, and predicts some players will leave because contracts were breached by the bankruptcy filing.
- Former diplomat
- Daniel Mulhall, former Irish ambassador to the US, says officials will see Trump's trip as a happy opportunity for rest and relaxation at a place he loves.
- Public
- Protests are planned in Dublin over Trump's visit.
Still unverified
Trump is expected to attend the Irish Open and may present the winner with the trophy on Sunday evening; whether LIV 2.0 actually happens and what Jon Rahm and others do remains to be seen; Trump is reportedly making his way to Ireland for the weekend.