Donald Trump’s Irish Open – is the baggage worth the eyeballs?
IRISH OPEN TIME: A general view of a clock bearing the words Trump Doonbeg during a Pro-Am round at Trump International Golf Links. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire.
US President Donald Trump’s trip to Doonbeg to watch the Amgen Irish Open brings its own baggage. The venue, the attendees and the players will all feel it.
The US President is set to arrive in Ireland on Saturday for a series of political and diplomatic engagements in Dublin, before flying west to Trump International Golf Links & Hotel.
“I think when the sitting President of the United States of America visits anywhere, it becomes a logistical challenge,” said defending champion Rory McIlroy at his press conference.
“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.
“I said yesterday, the President of the United States wants to come watch a little bit of golf. I think we are all happy to be here, grateful to be here. His presence at The Irish Open makes it a truly international event. That brings more attention and eyeballs to The Irish Open and it can only be a good thing.”
In an interview with the Irish Independent earlier this year, Eric Trump, the son of the US president, hailed McIlroy as a friend and said that without his support, the tournament likely would not have taken place in Doonbeg.
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Learn more “Eric and I live very close to each other, kids are at the same school and see each other at school events from time to time,” explained McIlroy when asked about their relationship.
“So the DP World Tour reached out to me and said, ‘Do you think Doonbeg will be a suitable venue for The Irish Open?’ “I said, look, I haven't been there, but from all accounts, I hear it's a very, very good golf course with accommodation on-site. 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.”
The security detail is considerable this week, but the players themselves have their own priorities. Their focus is on the course itself.
“For the players, every player here, is absolutely a hundred percent focused on trying to play their best golf,” said Pádraig Harrington.
“There are a lot of different stories for the players. Some guys trying to get into the Ryder Cup team. Some guys trying to keep their cards. Players are very good at just managing, because we travel all around the world. There's always stuff going on.
“You know, it is a huge deal, a sitting US President coming in. I've met both Bushes. Played golf with Bill Clinton; that was really cool. I've met Obama, obviously, at the White House for St. Patrick's Day. I met President Trump back in the day, before he was President.
“It is a huge deal with a US President coming in. There’s going to be a huge focus. The place looks fantastic. It looks brilliant. There's a lot of attention and some of that attention is good and bad attention, there is no doubt about it.”
Protests are expected this weekend, with several activist groups set to take part in a demonstration called ‘The Great Irish Unwelcome’. Trump originally bought the resort in 2014 after the venue was put into receivership.
“Obviously politically, there's a different side to this, and it is exceptionally complicated,” said Harrington.
“I play my golf in the US and it is exceptionally complicated in the US, let alone coming over here.
“You know, everybody, there are a lot of opinions. My friends will be on both sides of the counter. It is very topical and a difficult one because as I said, I have good friends who are on both sides and they are still good friends.
“So it's much easier from a golfing perspective. He does a really good golf course and a really good venue. The attention, as I said, for this tournament, it's putting all eyes here, and the people at Doonbeg, it's going to make this venue a bigger place. The jobs and economy, they are going to do great.
“He does a good golf course. The political side is certainly a hot potato for when you discuss it.”
Boil it down and their message is simple: let us play golf. Even that will be further complicated by the fact that play may need to be halted. If Marine One touches down while play is ongoing, there may be a delay.
“Look, is it a little disruptive to play? Absolutely,” admitted McIlroy.
“But again, there are 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.”
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