'It's going to be different': Rory McIlroy on Donald Trump's Co. Clare visit

'It's going to be different': Rory McIlroy on Donald Trump's Co. Clare visit The US President is set to attend the tournament at his Doonbeg course as McIlroy attempts to defend his title View Image Rory Mcllroy at the FedEx St. Jude Championship (Image: Icon Sportswire, Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Rory McIlroy has said Donald Trump is free to attend the Irish Open this weekend, but admitted his presence will make for a different atmosphere. ‌ The US President is set to take in the tournament at his Doonbeg course on Saturday and Sunday as McIlroy attempts to defend the title he won at the K Club last year. Trump's visit will see heightened security on the Clare links, with organisers expecting protests against the controversial figure. ‌ And McIlroy, who played a practice round on the Clare links on Tuesday ahead of Thursday's opening round, admitted that Trump's attendance will present some challenges for organisers and spectators. ‌ McIlroy told BBC Sport NI: "It's going to be different with him [Trump] being here. We're here to play a golf tournament, and it's a good golf course and we will keep our heads down and play. "I think the weekend, especially when he's here, crowds will be limited. Obviously, there's a lot that's going on. Logistically, it provides some challenges, absolutely, but at the same time, if he wants to come and watch the Irish Open, who are we to say no." McIlroy heads into the tournament as one of the headline attractions in a star-studded field that also includes major champions Shane Lowry, Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka. But the big story over the weekend will likely be away from the golf itself, with Trump and his family visiting the west Clare village, the Irish Mirror reports. ‌ Joe Russell, the general manager of Trump International Golf Links and Hotel, told RTE's News at One on Tuesday that he expects Trump to take in the action on both Saturday and Sunday. Russell said: "He will come in on Saturday afternoon. He's going to land here and probably take in the evening golf. He's with us overnight on Saturday and here on Sunday and then will depart on Sunday evening. "He's bringing the Trump family, Eric and Don Jr are also coming and they're bringing their families with them, so we'll have a big presence from the Trump family." ‌ Russell said that his Doonbeg team is working with the White House, the Secret Service and An Garda Siochana to make sure the event runs smoothly, with security set to be stepped up at the course over the weekend. "They're all working in collaboration with each other on-site, off-site arrangements, and we flow into that," he said. "We provide the hospitality, but we also need to ensure that we're following security protocols and all the access and other arrangements that they make." Article continues below Russell also said that gardai are fully prepared for protests during the controversial US President's visit to a golf resort he bought in 2014. On potential protests, he said: "That's what we're hearing, but my main concern is what's going on inside the boundaries of the golf club. "If protests happen, they happen. They have been discussed and An Garda Siochana are well experienced in dealing with them and we'll leave that in their capable hands."