Rory McIlroy grouped with Robert MacIntyre and Brooks Koepka as Shane Lowry tees it up with Jon Rahm and Patrick Reed in Co Clare
It might be 12 months away, but there’s a distinct Ryder Cup flavour to the tee times for this week’s Amgen Irish Open in Doonbeg.
World No 2 Rory McIlroy goes out at 1.35pm on Thursday with European teammate Robert MacIntyre and US star Brooks Koepka, who will be keen to make Jim Furyk’s side after missing out at Bethpage in 2025.
Shane Lowry is desperate to make his fourth appearance at Adare Manor and he’ll have ‘Captain America’ Patrick Reed and LIV star John Rahm for company in the very next group.
Pádraig Harrington, who is an assistant captain for Luke Donald next year, will get to see up-and-coming Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra alongside Tyrrell Hatton.
As for rising star Tom McKibbin, captain Donald will play alongside the Newtownabbey man and England’s Alex Fitzpatrick, who is making massive strides up the world rankings and hotly tipped to potentially team up with older brother Matthew in Co Limerick next year.
The 138-man field will tee off from the first tee on Thursday and Friday.