Joaquin Niemann goes lowest after windy start to Irish Open in Doonbeg
Pádraig Harrington of Ireland at the third green during day one of the Amgen Irish Open Golf Championship. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Joaquin Niemann has taken the early lead at the Amgen Irish Open in Co. Clare with a five-under par round of 65.
The Chilean is the most successful player on a LIV tour that filed for bankruptcy prior to the start of this tournament at Trump International Golf Links and Resort, but the news clearly didn’t affect his concentration here.
The 27-year old carded half-a-dozen birdies in Doonbeg, four in a row between the 14th and 17th, against only one dropped shot. That was on the par-four 12th. Very few would have that run on the back nine.
Scotland’s Connor Syme and Niklas Norgaard of Denmark had set the lowest rounds earlier in the day with a pair of 68s, both mixing five birdies with three bogeys.
The morning conditions were wet, a constant coat of drizzle falling on the Doonbeg links, and the wind was stiff enough to act as a bulwark against the sort of high scores that can rack up on a calm day on a links course like this.
“The first 10 holes were so tough, raining sideways, windy, everything,” said Noorgard. “Then you turn and you get the wind into your face. The wind calmed down a little bit on the last few holes, but pretty tough golf course when it's like this.”
Norgaard's take chimed with the stats. Add up the combined scores of the highest-placed 20 players in the clubhouse by 4pm and they completed their front nines for a combined 20-under par. Their total for the back nine came in at one-over.
Gusts of 55kph were being recorded as they swept in off the Atlantic.
Jon Rahm actually called for a timeout late in the afternoon and a word with the chief official on the 5th green due to an oscillating ball.
Balls moving and hats flying off! 🤣
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 10, 2026
The wind is causing carnage on the 13th 💨#AmgenIrishOpen pic.twitter.com/uqQ7g4KJRt
Blue skies finally started to peak through as lunchtime approached and the heavy hitters lumbered up for their day’s work. Good news for them and for the galleries following.
The pick of the day's collectives started one after the other with Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre and Brooks Koepka followed by Shane Lowry, Patrick Reed and Jon Rahm.
Tom McKibbin was best of the Irish early doors. Another LIV man, he had reached three-under through five. McIlroy and Lowry were -2 after four. The news wasn’t as cheery for the rest of the home contingent.
Cormac Sharvin and Seamus Power both ended with three-over 73s. Mark Power was one shot further back while Thomas Higgins was at the same +4 mark after 17.
Liam Nolan went off in the last group of the day, at 3.10pm, and they will be doing well to get in before the last light with bottlenecks reported on at least two corners of the course, at the 4th and the 6th.
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