Rain and Wind Batter Doonbeg Links Ahead of Amgen Irish Open

The Amgen Irish Open is set to begin at Trump International Doonbeg in County Clare on Thursday, and golfers have already gotten a taste of the challenging conditions that await them. Heavy rain and strong winds battered the course on Monday as players began their preparations for the tournament.

Among those who ventured out onto the links were Brooks Koepka, Shane Lowry, and Padraig Harrington, all of whom are part of the star-studded field headed by defending champion Rory McIlroy. The exposed links alongside Doughmore Bay is expected to provide a major test for the players this week.

According to the most recent forecast, conditions on Thursday should bring a mix of cloud and some brighter spells, with just a 25 per cent chance of light rain. However, south-westerly winds of around 18mph could still make conditions feel lively on the exposed links.