Irish Open play may pause for Donald Trump's arrival in Doonbeg

TOP TRUMP: Rory McIlroy on the 14th green during a practice round in advance of the Amgen Irish Open Golf Championship 2026 at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile.

Paul Gillmon, the tournament director for this year’s Amgen Irish Open at the Trump International Golf Links and Resort, has admitted that play could be suspended at the weekend to account for the arrival of the US president.

Donald Trump is expected to travel from Dublin, where he due to meet Taoiseach Micheal Martin and President Catherine Connelly, on Saturday in the Marine One helicopter and he could well arrive while the third round is still in play.

“It's a possibility that that could happen,” Gillmon told reporters at the Doonbeg course on Tuesday afternoon.

“If that was to happen it would be kept to an absolute minimum to not disrupt play and keep the players moving.” There is already precedent.

Play was halted at the LIV Golf event at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in Ney York last month – as the leaders played the 18th hole on the last day, no less – when his helicopter landed in order to pick him up.

Trump has attended three professional golf tournaments on courses that he owns this year with other appearances at the PGA Tour’s Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral in Miami and at the LIV Golf Virginia at Trump National Golf Club.

He has also appeared at various other sports events, among them the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, a New York Knick’s NBA Finals game, last year’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage and at Flushing Meadows for the US Open tennis.

Security around the Doonbeg venue is noticeably tighter this week than previous Irish Opens with members of An Garda Siochana on duty around the premises and course and media among the attendees requiring Garda vetting clearance.

Details of the president’s visit remain unclear with Gillmon explaining that White House and secret Service personnel keeping their logistics close to their chests and, while it all adds “complexities” to the week, they are planning for all eventualities.

“We've put in place measures so that we can communicate with all stakeholders as to what's happening. We've worked with the tournament team in terms of what the scenario would be if he has to come in during play, and we will execute on that if and when it's confirmed.”

Protests of some stripe are expected to coincide with Trump’s visit but they won’t be the first seen at a Co. Clare gold course after ‘Extinction Rebellion’s’ brief interlude during play when the Irish Open was held in Lahinch in 2019.

“We've learned a lot over the last few years,” said Gillmon. “You've seen across the world of golf, there's been protests all around the world for various causes. We take it very seriously.

“We also respect everyone's right to freely protest their cause, and we have protocol and things that we will be doing to mitigate and try and keep the tournament moving and keep everything civilized.”