Rory McIlroy has already made Donald Trump opinion clear as Irish Open protests planned

Rory McIlroy has already made Donald Trump opinion clear as Irish Open protests planned Rory McIlroy will be the main attraction when the Irish Open begins at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg on Thursday, but the president will steal the spotlight two days later View 2 Images Rory McIlroy has rubbed shoulders with Donald Trump since his election in 2016, and they will be reunited at the Irish Open this week (Image:) Rory McIlroy said he had no qualms about playing at Donald Trump's Doonbeg resort as the six-time major winner prepares to defend his Irish Open title. ‌ McIlroy is the reigning champion in his national open after a thrilling playoff win over Joakim Lagergren at The K Club 12 months ago. But attention swiftly turned to the 2026 edition of the event as rumors of Trump hosting at his County Clare links grew. Prior to it being confirmed, Ulsterman McIlroy made clear that he would have no issue playing at the president's course, despite criticism in Ireland. A poll last year found almost three-quarters of respondents opposed a Trump state visit to the Emerald Isle. But the red carpet will be rolled out for the president. Article continues below Rory McIlroy's net worth compared to Scottie Scheffler speaks volumes READ MORE : Kai Trump reveals University of Miami living situation after sobbing over college life READ MORE : The 80-year-old will meet his counterpart, Catherine Connolly, and Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Saturday before heading to Doonbeg to take in the action, with McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Jon Rahm among the star names teeing it up in the DP World Tour event. World No. 2 McIlroy said last year that he would be "absolutely happy" to play a tournament at the Trump course, as speculation abounded. "I've never played Doonbeg," he said. "I might have gone there for dinner once while I was down playing Lahinch at some point. ‌ View 2 Images McIlroy was Trump's guest at a state dinner to honor King Charles III and Queen Camilla (Image: Henry Nicholls / AFP via Getty Images) "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'd have no problem. The Scottish Championship was played at a Trump property near Aberdeen a few weeks ago and looked like it was a great event. "We're going back to Doral next year on the PGA Tour. So if it's back on a links course, I'm not sure how Doonbeg stacks up in terms of other links courses in the country, but I'd be absolutely happy to go there and play." ‌ McIlroy shares a friendship with President Trump, and the 37-year-old was a guest at a White House state dinner in April. During his speech, Trump praised McIlroy's "unconquerable courage" in clinching his second successive Masters title three weeks earlier. But McIlroy has insisted that just because he has rubbed shoulders with golf fanatic Trump over the years, he does not agree with the president's divisive politics. "I don't agree with everything my friends or family say or do, but I still play golf with them," McIlroy said in 2017 after being criticized in some quarters for playing a round of golf with Trump. He added it was "not an endorsement, nor a political statement of any kind." The president will face a mixed reception when he arrives in Ireland. He is broadly popular in and around Doonbeg due to the employment opportunities his businesses create, but protests are planned in Dublin and Doonbeg during his two-day stay.