Rory McIlroy Reveals What He Thought Of Trump’s Air Force One Flyover Voyage At The $6 Million Irish Open

Rory McIlroy was trying to save his Irish Open round when Donald Trump's Air Force One suddenly flew over the Doonbeg course. The unusual scene came as McIlroy searched for his ball on the third hole during Saturday's third round. Speaking after his round, McIlroy admitted the moment was “pretty cool,” but his attention was still on his own game. The Northern Irishman had already made two double bogeys early in the round, leaving little room for more mistakes at the $6 million Irish Open.

McIlroy said he was not used to seeing something like that during a golf round. “I guess not the experience we're used to in a way,” he told reporters. “I think it's Air Force One's maiden voyage, so that was pretty cool to see all that going on.” He then added that he was trying to avoid making more doubles and wanted to stay focused on his golf.

Rory McIlroy Reacts To Trump's Air Force One Arrival At Irish Open

The timing made the moment even stranger. Trump was visiting his Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg while the Irish Open was taking place there. Air Force One flew over the course before Trump later arrived by Marine One. Play was expected to stop briefly for his arrival, while fans faced airport-style security checks.

The visit had already made the tournament different from a normal DP World Tour event. Gardai said 10,000 12-hour shifts would be worked during Trump's Ireland visit, while a fortified helipad was built near the third tee for Marine One. McIlroy had warned earlier that the president's visit could create some logistical problems.

For McIlroy, though, the bigger problem was happening on the scorecard. He finished Saturday with a 74 after two early double bogeys, leaving him two-over for the tournament. The unusual flyover became another part of a difficult day, while Shane Lowry moved further ahead with a 65 and took a four-shot lead.

Rory McIlroy's Irish Open Struggles Continue As Shane Lowry Leads

McIlroy entered the week as the defending champion after winning the Irish Open in 2025. He opened this year's event with a 69 before matching that score in the second round. His putting caused problems on Friday, including a costly three-putt and a missed short putt on the 18th.

Saturday was much harder. McIlroy's two early double bogeys damaged his chances of making a move up the leaderboard. By the end of his round, he was tied for 50th at two-over. Shane Lowry, meanwhile, kept control at the top after adding a 65 to his course-record 62 from Friday.

McIlroy later joined Trump for dinner but remained focused on the tournament, especially with Lowry leading the way. He said the buzz around the Irish Open was strong because Lowry was in contention. After an unusual week filled with presidential security, helicopters and an Air Force One flyover, McIlroy's own words summed it up best: the spectacle was cool, but the golf still came first.