Donald Trump told Irish Open could be ‘practice round’ for long-awaited Turnberry Open return

Rory McIlroy’s former agent Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler believes this week’s Irish Open at Donald Trump’s Doonbeg course could effectively serve as a dress rehearsal for the U.S. President’s long-held ambition of bringing The Open Championship back to one of his golf properties.

Trump International Golf Links Ireland in County Clare is hosting the AMGEN Irish Open this week, with McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Jon Rahm and a host of other leading players heading to the famous links.

But Chandler believes the DP World Tour event could also be significant for Trump’s ambitions to see The Open return to Turnberry, the famous Scottish course he bought in 2014, especially if he turns up on site and presents himself well. 

Speaking to BetVictor Online Casino ahead of the Irish Open, Chandler said: “Well I hope he does go to the Irish Open because that for him is a practice round for The Open. If he gets it right at Doonbeg, you might see that he gets The Open within two or three years.

“There will be massive security for him in Ireland like anywhere he goes. He’ll only come for one of the days. If he turns up and presents the trophy, imagine what it will do for the sponsors.”

The R&A, which organises The Open, has previously commented that Trump Turnberry will not currently return to the championship rota because of commercial ‘challenges’.

That has frustrated Trump’s hopes of staging golf’s oldest major at the Ayrshire venue, which has produced some of the most memorable championships in Open history.

Arguably four of the most famous Opens have been staged at Turnberry: in 1977, 1986, 1994 and most recently in 2009. 

The latter saw Stewart Cink defeat the legendary Tom Watson in a playoff after the then-59-year-old produced one of the most remarkable performances in major championship history only to be denied late on. 

Whether this week’s Irish Open can influence Turnberry’s future remains to be seen, but Chandler believes a successful tournament at Doonbeg could give Trump another opportunity to demonstrate that one of his properties can successfully host a major international golf event.

Trump also hosted last month's Nexo Championship at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire, and he has also hosted multiple tournaments on his courses this season on both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. 

The PGA Tour's Cadillac Championship was staged at Trump National Doral earlier this season, while LIV Golf played tournaments at both Trump National Golf Club Washington D.C. as well as Trump National Golf Club Bedminster. 

All eyes on McIlroy in Ireland

On the course, however, much of the attention will fall on grand slam champion and defending champion McIlroy, who returns to compete in front of his adoring Irish fans.

McIlroy memorably won his second career Irish Open with a playoff victory over Joakim Lagergren at The K Club in 2025. 

The World No.2 brought the house down when making an eagle on the 72nd hole to force extra holes with the Swede, before defeating him in the playoff. 

Chandler believes playing the Irish Open represents something more meaningful to the Northern Irishman than simply adding another appearance fee or prize cheque to his already extraordinary career.

“He’ll want to perform in front of the Irish crowd and it won’t be the end of the world if he doesn’t perform, ” Chandler said.

“It’s a nice situation for him to be in.

“I think there’s perceived pressure on Rory to play. They’ll expect him to play and he enjoys playing in Ireland. It will be a nightmare for him at times because everyone wants a piece of Rory. It will mean more to him than just money.”

McIlroy will be joined by fellow home favourite Lowry, while LIV Golf superstar Rahm is also in the field amid unconfirmed rumours regarding his future and a possible return to the DP World Tour and, eventually, the PGA Tour.

Former Masters champion Sergio Garcia is also among a number of LIV players competing in Ireland, following his recent exclusive comments to GolfMagic ahead of an expected return to the DP World Tour in 2027.