Holywood’s Rory McIlroy is back on home soil to defend the Irish Open — this year on the Clare links at Trump International, Doonbeg, for the Amgen Irish Open (Thursday 10 to Sunday 13 September).
Round 1 played out in proper west-coast wind. Early reports had McIlroy turning in two under before the afternoon got harder, with Joaquín Niemann’s 65 the early marker on a slow, gusty day. Treat social score dumps carefully — the live board lives on the DP World Tour site.
Irish interest
Alongside McIlroy, keep an eye on Shane Lowry, Pádraig Harrington, Séamus Power, Mark Power and Tom McKibbin. For Belfast fans it is a weekend of sofa golf with a genuine local stake — especially while Rory tries to go back-to-back.
If you are travelling
Park-and-ride is mandatory thinking. Roads around Doonbeg (including the N67 and R484) are restricted and will clog further around Saturday’s visitor traffic. Satnav will not magic you past closed local lanes — follow official diversions.
Fuller Dublin-side travel and on-course colour: Love Dublin Irish Open Round 1. Reciprocal link from that piece back to this companion once both are up.
At a glance
- When: 10–13 September 2026
- Where: Doonbeg, Co Clare
- Defending: Rory McIlroy
- Follow: europeantour.com live leaderboard
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