Trump Effect: Doonbeg Delivers Global Golf Week
The 2026 Amgen Irish Open at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg was more than just a golf tournament - it was a global event that brought together tourism, international media, diplomacy, and business. Shane Lowry won his second Irish Open with a record-breaking 23-under-par total, but the real story was Donald Trump's surprise visit, which turned the tournament into a news sensation.
The presence of the sitting US President was felt across the world, with Reuters, Associated Press, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and The Guardian all covering his arrival and participation in the event. Trump's visit also led to a potential breakthrough for Irish whiskey exports, as he announced his intention to remove the 10% US tariff on imports.
The removal of the tariff could be worth tens of millions of euros to Ireland's signature export industry, with the country exporting approximately €450 million in Irish whiskey to the US each year. The potential value of this decision far exceeds the commercial benefits of the golf tournament itself, which generates around €717 million annually across the island of Ireland.