Jon Rahm opened his campaign at the Irish Open with a 3-under-par round at the Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg, leaving the Spanish golfer chasing a massive early deficit behind a local player, who scorched the course with a sensational 11-under 62.
The Basque player sits at -3 after 18 holes, well adrift of the blistering pace in County Clare.
Chasing History and Overcoming a Stormy Background
Rahm enters the historic tournament—founded in 1927 and a fixture on the DP World Tour since 1975—looking to capture a third Irish Open title. Rahm previously lifted the trophy in 2017 and 2019.
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The tournament carries additional off-course storylines as Rahm arrives following a third LIV Golf ring win. Financial turbulence has shadowed the Saudi-backed circuit recently, with reports indicating the organization faces bankruptcy proceedings where Rahm stands as a primary creditor owed $7.47 million, casting uncertainty over his future contract terms.
Lowry Leads a Star-Studded Field at Doonbeg
Shane Lowry is one of the main hopes of the local fans, as a local player fired an astonishing 62 to establish an imposing -11 benchmark. The Irish star, who won for the first time in 2016, is searching for his first individual victory in four years after finishing 15th at the event last season.
The stellar field assembled at Doonbeg—a links layout originally designed by Greg Norman and later remodeled by Martin Hawtree—also features Rory McIlroy, who is likewise chasing a third Irish Open title. Additional contenders include Brooks Koepka, five times winner of a ‘major’, looking to bounce back from missing the cut in 2025, alongside Tyrrell Hatton, Joaquín Niemann, Tom McKibbin, Padraig Harrington, and Seamus Power.
High-Profile Attendance and Presidential Presence
Tournament organizers expect a high-profile visitor over the weekend. United States President Donald Trump, owner of the host venue, is scheduled to arrive in Ireland for a two-day visit that includes meetings with Irish President Catherine Connolly and Prime Minister Micheál Martin, according to Marca. Trump is slated to visit the golf links on Sunday and could potentially present the championship trophy to the winner.
As the tournament progresses past the opening round, Rahm and the rest of the chasing pack face a monumental task to reel in the commanding lead along the rugged Atlantic coastline.
Worth a look
