Arrival of US president Donald Trump this weekend shines spotlight on Clare venue, as Rory McIlroy looks to make history
There are nine former Irish Open champions in the field this week, but only Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm have the chance to join the exclusive list of greats who have lifted the title three times.
Only Seve Ballesteros (1983, ‘85, ‘86), Bernhard Langer (1984, ‘87, ‘94), Nick Faldo (1991, ‘92, ‘93) and Colin Montgomerie (1996, 1997, 2001) managed to lift the trophy three times.
But both McIlroy (2016, ‘25) and Rahm (2017, ‘19) have the chance to match those European legends this week.
McIlroy won his second title in sensational fashion at The K Club last year by making an eagle on the 18th to tie with Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren before claiming the title at the third play-off hole.
“It would be fantastic,” Rahm said of the possibility of joining the hat-trick club. “Any time in this game of golf when you can join four European legends, you can’t ever take it for granted.
“I’ve put myself in a great position to hopefully do it three times, and I’m hoping that I can do it this year, if not in the future, in my career, so it’ll be truly special.”
Rahm hasn’t played in the Irish Open since his victory at Lahinch seven years ago and he’s looking forward to the week.
“Feeling good, wondering what has taken me so long to get back to an event that I love so much,” he said. “I’m very happy to be back.”
Fans travelling from the two park-and-ride car parks will be dropped off at the Championship Village, which is located between the third and fourth holes.
The Championship Village features food and beverage options, exhibition stands, a live stage for musical acts and interviews with sporting stars and even a ‘Quiet Room’, which is a low-stimulation, controlled space designed to help individuals on the autism spectrum or with other neurodivergent conditions decompress, self-regulate, and recover from sensory overload
Spanning 1.5 miles of crescent-shaped beach and dunes along Doughmore Bay, Greg Norman’s original 2002 plan was significantly redesigned by Dr Martin Hawtree after the Trump Organisation bought the property in 2014.
Normally a par-72 layout of over 7,000 yards, it will be a par-70 of 6,838 yards this week and showcase the new 18th, rebuilt earlier this year. The first hole, which plays along the beach as a par-five for members and visitors, will be a 498-yard par-four this week.
The 13th will also be reduced from a par-five to a fearsome par-four measuring 492 yards, while the new 18th plays uphill back to the clubhouse, featuring new bunkers and panoramic views of the beach and links.
Some of Ireland’s biggest sporting names will swap their usual playing fields for the fairway at the pro-am on Wednesday.
Former Ireland and Munster scrum-half Conor Murray, Mayo footballer Ryan O’Donoghue, Limerick hurler Gearóid Hegarty, Cork camogie player Clíona O’Callaghan, Westmeath ladies footballer Anna Jones, former Galway hurler Joe Canning, former Clare hurler Podge Collins and retired boxer Michael Conlan.
GAA fans will also have the chance to meet some of this year’s All-Ireland champions.
The All-Ireland winners from football, hurling, ladies football and camogie will make special appearances at the tournament, bringing the Liam McCarthy, O’Duffy and Brendan Martin Cups to the main stage as they meet supporters and take part in live question-and-answer sessions.
On Thursday, the focus will turn be on the All-Ireland winners in camogie and hurling.
Cork’s All-Ireland-winning camogie stars Meabh Cahalane (captain) and her sister Orlaith Cahalane will appear on the main stage with the O’Duffy Cup.
They will be joined by Limerick hurling captain Cian Lynch and Gearóid Hegarty, who will bring the Liam McCarthy Cup to Doonbeg following their All-Ireland triumph.
Mayo stars Ryan O’Donoghue and Aidan O’Shea will appear on stage sharing their experiences of reaching the pinnacle of Gaelic football.
They will be joined by Galway All-Ireland winning footballers Róisín Leonard and Shauna Hynes, celebrating their own championship success and giving fans an insight into what it takes to become an All-Ireland champion.
The live sessions, hosted by Aisling O’Reilly, will give supporters a unique opportunity to hear directly from some of the biggest names in Gaelic games and ask questions.
The action at Doonbeg will extend beyond the fairways, with a packed programme of live entertainment to keep fans entertained throughout the tournament.
Irish chart-toppers Keywest will take to the stage on Saturday evening, bringing their trademark high-energy live performance.
The tournament will close on Sunday evening with contemporary Irish folk-rock favourites All Folk’d Up, who will take to the stage for the final night of the championship.
Weekend tickets have now sold out across General Admission, Ticket+ and Green on 18.
General Admission tickets remain available for the Wednesday pro-mm and rounds one and two on Thursday and Friday, while Ticket+ and Green on 18 tickets are available on Thursday only. To view all remaining ticket options, click here. Children under 13 go free.
If you are driving, you must select a park & ride location. If you are sharing a car, please ensure you only select one car park pass for the designated vehicle.
Eircode for North Park & Ride – V95 P7N2
Eircode for South Park & Ride – V15 HK77
If you are using the local shuttles available from Kilkee, Kilrush and Miltown Malbay, then you do not need to select a car park.
Shuttles will be available at these locations for a return ticket cost of €10 and can be accessed here. There is no official parking at these locations, this service is for local use.
There is no public parking available onsite.
Thursday — Sky Sports Golf/RTÉ2 (13:30)
Friday — Sky Sports+/RTÉ2 (09:30), Sky Sports+/RTÉ (17:00), Sky Sports Main Event (18:00), Sky Sports Golf (18:00)
Saturday — Sky Sports+/RTÉ2 (14:30), Sky Sports Golf (18:00)
Sunday — Sky Sports+/RTÉ2 (13:30), Sky Sports Golf (17:00)