We know US President Donald Trump is planning to fly to Ireland this weekend and visit his Trump Doonberg hotel and golf course complex.
Trump is expected to travel from Dublin in a US Marine helicpoter, where he due to meet Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheal Martin and President Catherine Connelly.
Paul Gillmon, this year’s Amgen Irish Open Touranment Director, spoke today to reporters when asked about the possibility of a Trump visit saying: “It’s a possibility that could happen
“If that was to happen it would be kept to an absolute minimum to not disrupt play and keep the players moving.”
Of course, Trump has got into the practice of playing personal visits during formal competition to the golf courses he owns.
Just last month play he arrival halted at the LIV Golf event at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey as the leaders played the 18th hole on the last day, no less – when his helicopter landed in order to pick him up.
TRUMP NOT HEADING @TrumpDoonbeg TO RETURN ANY LOST GOLF CLUB OF RORS …..
USA President Donald Donald is planning to visit this week’s #AmgenIrishOpen but it certainly does not entail any special delivery to defending champ @McIlroyRory @IrishOpen_
Read:… pic.twitter.com/L3Xd7O6idD
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) September 8, 2026
Then there was the famed occasion back in March 2015 that this journalist witnessed first hand when Trump, as a then USA Presidental canditdate met Rory McIlroy on a golf course to formally return a 3-iron that a clearly angry McIlroy had hurled into a water hazard at the famed ‘Blue Monster’ Doral course in Florida.
McIlroy has hit his third in the water at the 8th hole, leading to a double-bogey 6 and second round score of 70 at the WGC – Cadillac Championship. Trump hearing the story soon had a scuba diver recover the club from its watery grave.
Trump again made his way to the course early Sunday and caught-up with McIlroy to formally reunite him with the club just prior to McIlroy teeing-up.
“It’s unlucky to have only 13 clubs. I want 14 clubs. I want 14 clubs”, said a smiling Trump as he met McIlroy warming-up on the range.
The two chatted for a few moments, and McIlroy thanked Trump and promised post his round he would present the 3-iron to the Doral club. He had said post Saturday’s round that he played the third day without a replacement club but that he would use it Sunday “if needed.”
As it turned out McIlroy donated the club to Doral and with Trump arranging for it to be framed and mounted inside the club’s pro shop where is till this day.
“We’ll either donate it to charity or mount it,” Trump said at the time. “But I’d really like to mount it [in the clubhouse]. That was a beautiful moment. He did it [threw the club] with such elegance. We’ll do one or the other.
“He’s a great kid, a great player. Anything he does is news. It showed a human touch. He’s a fantastic person.”
Mcllroy was on the practice range today when asked his thoughts about a Trump visit to Doonbeg.
“It’s going to be different, but the one thing I’d say is his golf resorts have hosted PGA Tour events, European Tour events, LIV events,” McIlroy told the BBC.
“He’s a big fan of golf, he’s a wonderful supporter of golf. He’s got a beautiful property here in Doonbeg – it’s the first time I’ve played it so sure it’s going to be different with him being here but we’re here to play a golf tournament and it’s a good golf course and keep our head down and play.”
Of course, McIlroy has been a little critical of Trump in his role as President but then we know just how well McIlroy gets on with Trump and that there for all the world to see earlier this year when Trump purposely singled out the double Masters champion at a White House gala dinner.
