President Donald Trump is expected to be in attendance as Rory McIlroy aims to defend his Irish Open title in Doonbeg. McIlroy sank a 25-foot eagle putt in 2025 in a nail-biting playoff win against Swedish star Joakim Lagergren. The victory came nine years after the 37-year-old won his first Irish Open title, and if he retains the title, President Trump may also present the Masters champion with the trophy.
Trump's golf handicap and praised game
It is no secret that the President is a big fan of golf, owning 16 courses worldwide. He has two in Scotland - Turnberry and Trump International - as well as the venue the Irish Open is being held at, Doonbeg, in County Clare. With this in mind, Mirror Sport has delved into Trump's love for golf, including his own handicap, some cheating scandals and the great controversy surrounding the ongoing tournament.
President Trump spends a lot of time on the golf course, so it's no surprise that he has a low handicap. Golf Handicap Information Network reports that the 80-year-old has worked to a 2.8, meaning that he could play a round at just under three strokes over par when averaged against his best scores. His best score on the course is a 70, so he is capable of putting in a fierce effort.
However, it's not just his numbers that showcase Trump's skill - professional golfers have praised the President for his handling of the fairways. Bryson DeChambeau told USA Today: "He's actually a really good golfer. He stripes it down the middle of the fairway and has a good iron game and putts it pretty well." Jack Nicklaus also dubbed Trump the "best player" among the presidents he has played against in his time.
Cheating accusations against the President
Despite being praised for his golfing, President Trump has also been accused of cheating on numerous occasions. During his first term in charge in 2019, author Rick Reilly published a book called 'Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump.' In this, Reilly accuses the President of cheating as he said: "To say 'Donald Trump cheats' is like saying 'Michael Phelps swims. He cheats at the highest level. He cheats when people are watching, and he cheats when they aren't. He cheats whether you like it or not. He cheats because that's how he plays golf... if you're playing golf with him, he's going to cheat."
Trump, though, after claiming he scored 70 on a round, announced: "It's called TALENT, and I have it, and they don't," to which several social media users questioned. One replied: "I've seen his swing; he didn't shoot 70 unless he cheated and played from the short tees. No way." Another wrote: "Watched him live for years, listened to his caddies' stories. Everyone around him allows him to cheat out of fear. Nothing he does is genuine. All his 'feats' are fake, and he actually feels special." A third noted: "It's funny that he cheats to win and knows this. But he doesn't care. He just wants to win by whatever means."
Irish Open venue controversy
Golfing fans will descend upon Doonbeg to take in the Irish Open this weekend - but it's not a venue many are pleased with. When the tournament location was announced, Trump's son Eric said: "We are incredibly proud that Trump Ireland has been chosen to host the 2026 Amgen Irish Open. This tournament is one of the most celebrated events in golf, and bringing it to Trump Ireland is a true testament to the standard of excellence that's upheld at this property."
Fans in Ireland protested against the decision to hold the tournament at one of President Trump's courses, with one writing: "Whoever made this decision should hang their head in shame!" while another added: "Appalling decision. What a bunch of grovellers we are." A third noted: "Horrendous decision. We should be boycotting this place," while another explained: "My word. Everyone involved in Irish golf has debased themselves with this decision. Does anybody in power have a moral compass anymore? Trump Doonbeg to host Irish Open in 2026."
The Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) also dubbed the decision to hold the Irish Open at Doonbeg "shameful." They questioned whether Irish golfers would take a stand by not participating in the event. Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Michael Martin addressed the frustrations and said that Trump is "welcome to Ireland" for the event. He said: "There will be differences of opinion, that’s natural. We live in a democracy, and we facilitate protests, we facilitate people with different agreements. But the fundamentals are that we continue to support that US-Ireland relationship because it puts bread on the table of a lot of Irish people."
