The Back 9 continues this week as Trump International Golf Links & Hotel, Doonbeg, hosts an impressive field at the Amgen Irish Open for the first time. Here are your five things to know.
New Venue
Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg hosts the Amgen Irish Open for the first time this week, becoming the 19th different venue in the event’s 52 editions on the DP World Tour.
Formerly known as Doonbeg Golf Club, the Greg Norman‑designed links opened in 2002 with an exhibition match between Norman and Pádraig Harrington, won 2&1 by the Australian. The course was more recently purchased by The Trump Organisation in 2014 and underwent a significant redesign by Dr Martin Hawtree two years later, creating a traditional links test for this week’s field in County Clare.
Measuring 6,838 yards, the par-70 features a single loop of nine holes out and nine back.
Ahead of staging the Irish Open, Hawtree oversaw revisions last winter, including both the first and 18th holes. While the tee box on the opening hole has been moved to transform the once straightaway par five into a sweeping dogleg left, the 18th has been entirely redesigned, playing as an uphill par four to an elevated and undulating green that guarantees a dramatic finish.
History of the event
First held in 1927, the Amgen Irish Open has formed a continuous part of the DP World Tour schedule since 1975 and this year celebrates its 71st edition. Across that span it has travelled the length and breadth of Ireland, featured as a Rolex Series event between 2017 and 2020, and produced an enviable roll of honour featuring many of Europe’s greatest players.
Seve Ballesteros, Sir Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer and Colin Montgomerie all claimed three titles, while last year’s victory saw Rory McIlroy join the group of two‑time champions that includes Ian Woosnam, Sam Torrance, Mark James and Jon Rahm. McIlroy’s dramatic play‑off win in 2025 at The K Club will be remembered as one of the championship’s finest finishes, while Shane Lowry famously triumphed as an amateur in 2009.
McIlroy defends
McIlroy returns this week as defending champion, looking to build on a year that has already seen him become a six‑time Major winner after triumphing at the Masters. His victory at The K Club last season was one of the most dramatic finishes in tournament history, defeating Joakim Lagergren in a play‑off after the Swede emerged from a five‑way tie for the lead with a superb closing 66, capped by a brilliant 266‑yard approach to five feet for eagle at the 16th. McIlroy forced extra holes with a 28‑foot eagle putt of his own on the 18th, and the pair traded birdies on the first two play‑off holes. On the third, McIlroy’s approach only just cleared the water but held the green, while Lagergren found the hazard, allowing the home favourite to two‑putt for the win and emulate his 2016 success at the same venue.
The World Number Two now arrives fresh off back‑to‑back top‑five finishes in the final two events of the PGA Tour season, adding further momentum to his title defence.
Harrington extends remarkable national open run
Harrington will extend a remarkable record this week as he makes his 31st consecutive appearance at the Amgen Irish Open, the longest uninterrupted streak since the event began in 1975. His run, now three more than the 28 achieved by Eamonn Darcy and Des Smyth, is highlighted by victory at Adare Manor in 2007 and runner‑up finishes at Fota Island Resort in 2001, Co Louth Golf Club in 2004, and Killarney Golf & Fishing Club in 2010. The three‑time Major champion has made the cut 17 times across his 30 previous appearances, and this week will be aiming to halt a run of three consecutive missed cuts as he returns once again to one of the defining stages of his career.
Inside the field
McIlroy headlines a field packed with past champions, Major winners, Ryder Cup stars and DP World Tour winners, combining to form one of the strongest line‑ups in the tournament’s recent history. Joining the World Number Two and career Grand Slam winner are six of his Ryder Cup team‑mates from Bethpage, with fellow former champions Rahm, Lowry and Rasmus Højgaard adding further star quality. They sit alongside Adrian Meronk, John Catlin, Harrington, Ross Fisher and Sergio Garcia as past winners returning this week.
McIlroy and Rahm both have the chance to join the exclusive group of three‑time Irish Open champions, while Lowry, Højgaard and fellow 2025 Ryder Cup heroes Tyrrell Hatton, Robert MacIntyre, Sepp Straka, Captain Luke Donald and Vice Captain Francesco Molinari all tee it up at Doonbeg.
Race to Dubai Rankings Delivered by DP World leader Patrick Reed is joined by fellow multiple 2026 winners Jayden Schaper, Casey Jarvis and Eugenio Chacarra, while Alex Fitzpatrick makes his first regular DP World Tour start since winning the Hero Indian Open following a standout run on the PGA Tour.
Multiple Major Champion Brooks Koepka also returns and last year’s runner‑up Lagergren is back too, arriving with confidence after securing his second top ten of the season at the Husqvarna British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo.
