Shane Lowry secured his second Irish Open victory on Sunday at the Doonbeg Golf Resort in County Clare, Ireland, to a roaring home crowd and a visibly pleased President Donald Trump, who presented the trophy.
Presidential visit highlights local economy
President Trump arrived on Saturday for a 48‑hour visit, meeting Irish leaders in Dublin before heading to the resort. His helicopter landed on the course, briefly pausing play as the President stepped onto the fairway. The visit underscores the resort’s role as a major employer for the village of Doonbeg, where the Trump family has owned the property since 2014.
Lowry, who described the helicopter landing as “an insane day,” shot an eight‑under‑par round on Friday to set a course record, then followed with a 23‑under‑par total on Sunday, finishing just one shot shy of matching his record. He closed with an 18th‑hole birdie to seal the win.
Trump’s remarks and tariff promise
After the tournament, President Trump called Lowry “unbelievable” and “a great guy.” He also announced his intention to remove tariffs on Irish whiskey, a move that could benefit local producers and the broader Irish economy.
Lowry thanked the President and Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin for attending, noting the significance of having a U.S. president present at the event. He expressed pride in representing his home country on a global stage.
Local reactions
Residents of Doonbeg, a tiny village of about 300 people, welcomed the President’s presence. Many wore red “Make America Great Again” hats, and longtime resident Kathryn Murphy, 69, said, “He will have detractors, but I just feel it’s a golf event and good for the local economy.”
While anti‑Trump protesters marched in Dublin, the atmosphere at the resort remained celebratory, with the President joining major U.S. golfers Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed, who finished second.
Historical context
The 2019 British Open champion’s 11‑shot victory marks the first time since 2005 that an Irish golfer has won the Irish Open as an amateur, highlighting the tournament’s importance to the nation’s golfing heritage.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
