MCILROY LOOKING TO REPEAT ‘MAGICAL’ WEEKEND AT IRISH OPEN
Defending champion Rory McIlroy all smiles ahead of the Amgen Irish Open at Trump International, Doonbeg. (Photo: DP World Tour/Getty)
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Rory McIlroy is hoping for a repeat of 12 months and a ‘magical’ and inspirational weekend as he prepares to defend his Amgen Irish Open title at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel, Ireland, Doonbeg.
The world number two defeated Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren in a play-off at The K Club last year after a thrilling finish that saw the crowds enjoy closing eagles and sudden death made for a dramatic final day.
“I got two bites of the cherry coming home last year with Portrush and The Open and everything up to the Amgen Irish Open,” reflected McIlroy at Doonbeg today. “I really wanted to treat both weeks like a celebration of the year and everything that I had achieved last year. I started off the week at the Irish Open last year with, you know, doing something in the tented village with all the fans and Green Jacket and Major trophies.”
McIlroy then recalled the unforgettable scenes as he raced into a playoff with Lagergren to send the crowds into a frenzy. “Needing three (eagle) at the last to get into the play-off and the scenes on the last - it was an incredible week!
“With the way that the year transpired, going into that back end of the season, if there was one tournament that I could have chosen to win, it would be that one. It was a magical weekend, and obviously the scenes of the celebrations and dads and sons hugging each other, it was very fulfilling and I'm glad I got the opportunity to be a part of it.”
McIlroy’s win at. The K Club came nine years after his first victory in his national Open at the same venue. This week he will now look to join Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Sir Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie as a three-time winner of the event.
The six-time Major winner is ready to begin what promises to be an exciting run-in to the finale of the DP World Tour season as he pursues a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title.
McIlroy is currently second in the Race to Dubai standings, after a campaign that has already seen him retain his Masters title, and he will now bid to overtake American Patrick Reed at the top.
Fellow Irish Major champions Shane Lowry and Pádraig Harrington are also in the field and both former winners of their national open. Harrington claimed the title in 2007 at Adare Manor, with Lowry famously winning as an amateur in 2009 at County Louth (Baltray).
Harrington will write his name into the history books by making his 31st consecutive start at the Irish Open, having played every year since his debut in 1996. He will surpass Seve Ballesteros’ record for consecutive appearances at the Open de España.
McIlroy, Lowry and Harrington are three of nine Major winners in the field, joining, Jon Rahm, Danny Willett, Sergio Garcia, Brooks Koepka, Francesco Molinari and Patrick Reed.
Two-time Major Champion Rahm will also be looking to win the Irish Open for a third time, having claimed victory at Portstewart Golf Club in 2017 and Lahinch Golf Club in 2019.
Former world number one and European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald will tee it up on the alongside Ryder Cup stars such as, Tyrrell Hatton, Robert MacIntyre, Sepp Straka, Rasmus Højgaard and Nicolai Højgaard, with Rasmus returning as a former Irish Open champion following his victory at Royal County Down in 2024 when he denied McIlroy.
Harrington is surprised with his Irish Open tally given that he was relatively late to the party. “I'm somewhat surprised because obviously I started pretty late,” he said. “You see young lads playing now at 15 years of age in their national opens at times. I played my first one when I was 24. So, yeah, 31 years consecutive, it's a nice run. I'd like to tell you I never got injured but I think I played a few while injured.
“Definitely the atmosphere, the fans. I struggled at the start with that. It was a lot of stress and just put a lot of pressure on you. I think it takes a while for you to figure out that everybody wanting you to do well is not them expecting to you do well. Took a while before I got comfortable with that and I do enjoy that now with the atmosphere, the fans.
“I like the fact that the European players who come over loved the atmosphere, love the actual event. They questioned our weather at times, but everybody enjoys the event. Amgen have come in and really upped the game of the Irish Open. It's one of the premiere events on the DP World Tour. The players love it. They appreciate it.”
Lowry was also reflective of his Irish Open win way back in 2009 when still an amateur. “It's that long ago, I can't remember my win. Obviously, the Amgen Irish Open is one of the tournaments at the start of the year that you kind of circle in your calendar,” said Lowry.
“I think this is my 18th one. I think I've played in every one since 2009. It's great to come home. It's great to come to some great golf courses around Ireland. It's great to compete at home and try and go out there and win your national open.
“If you had asked me when I was a kid growing up, would I even compete in double-digit Irish Opens, I'd probably have taken your hand off.”