Rory McIlroy’s backing proved essential in bringing the Irish Open to Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg this autumn, according to Eric Trump.
The Masters champion’s influence was so significant that the tournament might not have come to the County Clare venue without it, the President’s son has claimed.
“Rory’s become a friend. And frankly, I’d say without Rory’s support, I’m not even sure if we’d have it here,” Eric Trump told the Belfast Telegraph.
The competition will take place from 10-13 September at the coastal Irish resort, with President Trump himself potentially making the journey from Washington.
Eric Trump indicated his father is keen to attend if his schedule permits.
“I think he’s gonna be here. He really wants to be here – and I know Rory definitely wants him here,” Eric Trump said.
The 42-year-old revealed that McIlroy has grown close to the entire Trump family, not just the President.
Rory McIlroy’s backing proved essential in bringing the Irish Open to Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg this autumn, according to Eric Trump
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The Northern Irish golfer visited Trump Jupiter just a fortnight ago, according to Eric, who promised that leading players would be drawn to the September event.
“Rory has been super supportive of the family. I was just with him two weeks ago. He played at Trump Jupiter. You’re going to see some of the true great stars come to this event,” he said.
Earlier in January, McIlroy was photographed practising alongside Kai Trump, the President’s teenage granddaughter who holds a golf scholarship at the University of Miami.
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The Trump family has pledged to McIlroy that the September tournament will be “the best Irish Open that Ireland has ever seen”.
The pair’s rapport was evident following last September’s Ryder Cup, when Europe triumphed over the United States on American soil.
McIlroy playfully taunted the President by sending footage of himself and teammates singing “Are you watching, Donald Trump?”
Rather than taking offence, Trump responded with characteristic humour, sharing the clip on his Truth Social account.
“Yes, I’m watching. Congratulations!” the President wrote alongside the video.
The exchange demonstrated the warm relationship that has developed between the golfing star and the Trump family.
Rory McIlroy helped Team Europe win the Ryder Cup on US soil last year
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The current friendship marks a notable turnaround from McIlroy’s stance five years ago.
After playing a round with Trump in 2017 and facing criticism for doing so, McIlroy declared in 2020 that he would not repeat the experience.
“I haven’t done it since … out of choice,” McIlroy said at the time. “So I will sit here and say that day I had with him I enjoyed. But that doesn’t mean I agree with everything – or, in fact, anything – that he says.”
The golfer went further, criticising Trump’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and his leadership style.
“There’s some stuff that just is terrible. It’s not the way a leader should act,” McIlroy said.
Their reconciliation suggests that time has mended the rift.
