Men’s Golf Focus Remains In County Claire As Nine Major Champs & 17 Ryder Cup Stars Tee-Up Amgen Irish Open

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For a remarkable second week in succession men’s golf will stay focussed in Ireland’s County Claire with the hosting of the Amgen Irish Open and being staged for a first occasion on the Trump International Golf Links & Hotel course along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline at Doonbeg.

Doonbeg is located some 30 klms south of Lahinch and where on last Sunday afternoon the GB & I Walker Cup team brilliantly turned around likely defeat by securing a stunning one point victory over their USA rivals, thanks to a Josh Hill birdie at the final hole in the final match on the Lahinch host course.

It’s rather uncommon to have two prestigious male golf tournamens, one at prize amateur event and the other being a leading pro men’s tournament so close to one another and also in back-to-back week’s but the Irish won’t mind as they’re sure to be out in force cheering on no fewer than nine fellow Irish headed by Grand Slam winning Rory McIlroy.

Many of the British and Ireland born players competing in this week’s $6m event at Doonbeg have competed in the Walker Cup, including the likes of World No. 2 and defending Irish Open champ McIlroy plus fellow Masters winner Danny Willett who were team-mates in the 2007 Walker Cup team that went down to their USA rivals at Royal County Down in Northern Ireland.

McIlroy will be seeking a 22nd DP World Tour success.

And talking of major champions, this week’s Amgen Irish Open boasts nine major champions:

Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Padraig Harrington, Jon Rahm, Sergio Garcia, Patrick Reed, Danny Willett, Franceso Molinari and Brooks Koepka.

As well, there is 17 Ryder Cup stars also from both Europe and the USA in the Irish Open field:

Rory McIlroy, Patrick Reed, Danny Willett, Francesco Molinari, Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Robert MacIntyre, Sepp Straka, Nicolai Hojgaard, Bernd Wiesberger, Rasmus Hogjaard, Thorbjorn Olesen, Brooks Koepka, Shane Lowry, Luke Donald, Padraig Harrington and Ross Fisher.

Let’s not stop there as nine former Amgen Irish Open winners are also teeing-up on the Greg Norman designed Doonbeg course including:

Rory McIlroy (Winner in 2016 & 2025), Rasmus Hogjaard (2024), Adrian Meronk (2022), John Catlin (2020), Jon Rahm (2017 & 2019), Ross Fisher (2010), Shane Lowry (2009 as an amateur), Padraig Harrington (2007) and Sergio Garcia (1999).

AND spare a good thought for Scotland’s David Law who is the last man into this week’s event and at currently No. 116 on the Race to Dubai, the ultra-affable Scot desperately needs some good results at this late stage of the season in order to retain full DP World Tour membership for next season.

 



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