09/09/26 09:19:00
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09/09 09:17 CDT McIlroy says Trump's Irish Open visit will bring tight security
and a different feel
McIlroy says Trump's Irish Open visit will bring tight security and a different
feel
DOONBEG, Ireland (AP) --- Rory McIlroy says the expected visit of President
Donald Trump at this week's Irish Open poses logistical challenges, and that
the atmosphere will be different.
A White House official said last month that Trump planned to attend the
tournament at his Doonbeg golf course in County Clare on the Atlantic coast of
Ireland, which is hosting the Irish Open for the first time.
His trip to the course will require extra security measures, as it did when he
attended the Cadillac Championship at his Trump National Doral course near
Miami this year, and when he attended the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in
New York.
"I think when the sitting president of the United States of America visits
anywhere, it becomes a logistical challenge," McIlroy said Wednesday. "There's
a lot that goes into it.
"They obviously have to lock down a specific area and make sure that it's safe
for him to travel into, and the entire delegation, whoever that is.
Logistically, it provides a bit of a challenge but we are at one of his
properties that he has kindly provided for us to play a golf tournament.
"His presence at the Irish Open makes it a truly international event," McIlroy
said. "That brings more attention and eyeballs to the Irish Open, and it can
only be a good thing."
BBC Northern Ireland said Trump might present the trophy on Sunday, which he
did at the 2017 Presidents Cup across from New York City during his first term
in office.
Either way, McIlroy expects the atmosphere to be changed.
"I don't know what the protocol will be on Saturday when the president
arrives," he said. "Look, is it a little disruptive to play? Absolutely. But
again, there's protocols in place for a reason, and all we can do is follow
them and abide by them, and whenever we're ready to play again, we put our
heads down and we go and play."
McIlroy confirmed he played a role in getting the Irish Open to Trump
International. He has a U.S. base in Florida, he knows Eric Trump and their
children go to the same school.
McIlroy said the European tour sought his opinion on whether Doonbeg would be
suitable for the event. "I said, ?Look, I haven't been there but from all
accounts, I hear it's a very, very good golf course with accommodation onsite.
The Irish Open has not been in this part of the world in several years, since
Lahinch in 2019. I think it would be a good thing."
Trump bought the Doonbeg course out of receivership in 2014. This will be the
second European tour event at a Trump property. The Nexo Championship was held
last month at his golf course in Aberdeen, Scotland.
The PGA Tour hosted a signature event at the Trump course near Miami, and the
LIV Golf League held an event at Trump National in New Jersey. The only
tournament Trump missed at one of his courses this year was Aberdeen.
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