Rory McIlroy has stated that he wouldn’t have any issues participating in next year’s Irish Open if it is hosted at one of Donald Trump’s golf courses. The Masters champion is currently competing in his home open this week, starting with a one-under-par round at The K Club near Dublin on Thursday.
There are rumors that next year’s tournament will be held at Trump International Doonbeg on Ireland’s west coast. Trump’s controversial politics have affected his portfolio of courses’ ability to host world-class tournaments since he first took office in 2017.
Organizers worry that the president’s involvement will detract from the events. Turnberry, the crown jewel in Trump’s collection of courses, hasn’t hosted The Open Championship since he purchased it for $60 million in 2014. However, it seems that the stance of golf’s power brokers is beginning to soften. Trump International Aberdeen hosted a DP World Tour event last month, and the President’s Doral resort will hold a PGA Tour tournament in 2026.
A unique four-on-four made-for-TV tournament involving McIlroy and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler will take place at Trump International Jupiter in December.
In his pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday, McIlroy clarified that he would have no problem participating if the DP World Tour decides to take the Irish Open to Doonbeg. “I’ve never played Doonbeg,” McIlroy said.
“I might have gone there for dinner once while I was down playing Lahinch at some point. But no, I mean, I’ve obviously heard the rumors. I’m not sure if it’s confirmed or not, or when the schedule comes out, but if it were to go there, I’d have no problem.
“You know, the Scottish Championship was played at a Trump property near Aberdeen there a few weeks ago and looked like it was a great event.
“We’re going back to Doral next year on the PGA Tour. So if it’s back on a links course, I’m not sure how Doonbeg stacks up in terms of other links courses in the country, but I’d be absolutely happy to go there and play.”
McIlroy was positioned to secure a spot among the early pacesetters following an impressive opening on Thursday, but consecutive bogeys late in his round caused him to plummet down the rankings.
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“I felt like I played better than what the score reflects,” the Northern Irishman maintained. “Felt like I hit the ball well, drove the ball well; you know, just had that disappointing finish, bogeying two of the last three holes.
“But actually pretty encouraged how I played. Just didn’t score as well as I wanted to. The game feels pretty good. Off the tee was good.
“It was sort of a continuation of what I saw at East Lake a couple of weeks ago. Just a matter of being more efficient with the scoring.”
