Could another of President Trump’s golf courses be awarded a men’s professional national open? Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg is rumored to be in line to host the Amgen Irish Open, potentially as early as next year, and Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy “would have no problem” with that.
“I’ve never played Doonbeg. I went there for dinner once at some point. I’ve obviously heard the rumors. I’m not sure if it’s confirmed or not or when the schedule comes out, but if it were to go there, I would have no problem,” he said.
Trump purchased the five-star resort in County Clare, set on the dramatic coastal dunes of southwest Ireland, in 2014 for a reported €15 million ($17.5 million). The course originally was designed by Greg Norman in 2002.
McIlroy noted that the DP World Tour held the Nexo Championship at Trump International Golf Links Scotland in Aberdeen last month, and the PGA Tour will return to Trump Doral near Miami in May. The R&A also said in July that it wasn’t opposed to a return to Trump Turnberry.
Mark Darbon, who took over as CEO at the R&A this year from Martin Slumbers, said that Turnberry had not been taken off the list of potential Open sites but that transportation and other “logistical challenges” had to be addressed.
Trump also has hosted LIV Golf events in recent years and once hosted the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey. He was scheduled to host the 2022 PGA Championship but it was moved to Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma, instead.
In April 2022 it was announced that The K Club had agreed to a long-term deal with the DP World Tour to host the Irish Open in 2023, 2025 and 2027. The site for next year’s Irish Open has yet to be announced.
“If that’s back on a links course, I’m not sure how Doonbeg stacks up against other links courses in the country, but I would be absolutely happy to go there,” McIlroy said.
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