The winds may blow hard on Ireland’s rugged western coast, but they haven’t stirred up as much intrigue as the news now sweeping across the golfing world: the Irish Open is coming to Trump Doonbeg, and according to Eric Trump, we largely have Rory McIlroy to thank.
Rory’s Influence Quietly Sealed the Deal for Trump
Set for September 10–13, the tournament will unfold at President Trump’s stunning seaside resort in Doonbeg, County Clare, a course praised for its natural beauty and architectural prestige. And while the setting itself is no small draw, Eric Trump insists the real catalyst behind securing the event is none other than McIlroy, the four-time major champion and the pride of Northern Ireland.
“Rory’s become a friend. And frankly, I’d say without Rory’s support, I’m not even sure if we’d have it here,” Eric revealed to the Belfast Telegraph. His words carry weight. not only due to the magnitude of the tournament, but because they highlight a relationship that has evolved, mellowed, and perhaps even surprised those watching from the outside.
From Critic to Collaborator? McIlroy’s Change of Tune
Only a few years ago, McIlroy was making headlines for distancing himself from President Trump. Following a round with Trump in 2017, McIlroy faced backlash from critics and later expressed discomfort with Trump’s politicization of the pandemic. In 2020, he said plainly that he wouldn’t golf with the President again, citing leadership concerns, tone-deaf commentary, and the optics of that initial outing.
Fast forward to today, and the story has shifted significantly.
McIlroy is now not only playing rounds with members of the Trump family, including the President’s granddaughter, Kai, but also apparently advocating for the Trump family’s properties as hosts for top-tier global events. It’s a dramatic narrative arc, one that suggests mutual respect, reconciliation, or at least a pragmatic détente forged over fairways and greens.
Trump’s Return to Ireland May Signal More Than Just Golf
For Trump, the Irish Open landing at Doonbeg is more than just a win for his resort; it’s a symbolic moment. A celebrated American president hosting a world-class event on Irish soil, possibly in attendance himself, supported by a European golf star who once distanced himself from the very idea.
Eric Trump teased the idea of his father making the trip from Washington to witness the tournament firsthand, noting, “He really wants to be here, and I know Rory definitely wants him here.”
This evolving relationship between McIlroy and the Trumps may say more about the game’s magnetic nature than about politics. Golf, after all, has long served as a quiet stage for diplomacy, grudges, reconciliations, and symbolic gestures. It can turn critics into companions and rivals into playing partners.
Whatever the motive, whatever the history, one thing is certain: come September, all eyes will be on Doonbeg, not just for the golf, but for the unmistakable political undertones wrapped in a perfect tee shot.
