Amgen Irish Open 2026 preview picks analysis

Rory McIlroy will go in search of his 22nd DP World Tour title as the defending champion at the Amgen Irish Open this week, where he will be hoping to close the gap on Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed.

The 36-year-old won his sixth major with a one-shot victory at Augusta National in April as he became only the fourth player after Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods to retain the Green Jacket.

He will be the headline act when he returns to Ireland to defend his title at Trump International Golf Links Ireland, Doonbeg.

The Northern Irishman holed a remarkable 28-foot eagle putt on the final hole to force extra holes at The K Club last year before sealing victory on the third extra hole, emulating his memorable 2016 triumph at the same venue. No player has won back-to-back titles at the Irish Open since Colin Montgomerie in 1996 and 1997.

In truth, McIlroy has had a pretty disappointing campaign but he will relish the prospect of playing in front of a passionate home crowd. Weekend tickets have long since sold out.

Past champion Shane Lowry will also be looking to feed off the home crowd. Lowry, who made history when he won his national open on his debut appearance as an amateur in 2009, will make his 18th consecutive appearance when the tournament arrives at Trump International Golf Links Ireland, Doonbeg, for the first time.

The Irishman was the first amateur winner of the event and remains the most recent player to win on the DP World Tour before turning professional. Ten years later, he won The Open at Royal Portrush.

Lowry delivered one of the most memorable moments in recent Ryder Cup history when his putt on the final green at Bethpage Black secured the crucial half-point that retained the trophy for Europe in September last year. Luke Donald’s team won the Ryder Cup away from home for the first time in 13 years after surviving a remarkable United States comeback on a dramatic Sunday in New York.

He said: "Playing in front of home fans at your national open is always incredibly special. It’s a tournament I love, one I grew up watching, and to have my name on the trophy means a great deal. There’s no better feeling than playing on home soil and I’m really excited for the Amgen Irish Open. Winning it again is always a goal. It’s going to be a fantastic field and it’s great to see how much it means to fans in Ireland and how it continues to grow.

"I’ve had some strong performances in the event over the past few years and would love nothing more than to get my hands on that trophy again."

Jon Rahm

(Image Credit: LIV Golf)

With his future in LIV Golf up in the air, Jon Rahm, a two-time major champion and former world number one, returns to the DP World Tour with fond memories of this event. He has won the Irish Open twice, having claimed victory at Portstewart Golf Club in 2017 and Lahinch Golf Club in 2019.

The Spaniard returns for the 2026 edition in County Clare, bringing him back to the region where he last lifted the trophy as he targets a third national open title on the island of Ireland.

"I’m really looking forward to getting back to Ireland for the Amgen Irish Open," said Rahm, a ten-time DP World Tour winner. "Winning this tournament twice means a lot to me and it’s always a place I enjoy playing. The courses, the fans and the challenge of links golf make it a special week."

At Portstewart nine years ago, Rahm secured a dominant six-shot win for his maiden DP World Tour title, closing with a 65. He added a second triumph two years later at Lahinch, where a final-round 62 featuring eight birdies and an eagle saw him overturn a tie for ninth and finish two shots clear of Andy Sullivan and Bernd Wiesberger.

Rahm, who was joint runner-up in the US PGA Championship at Aronimink, will be part of a strong contingent of players in the field this week.

He joins McIlroy, Lowry, Robert MacIntyre, Sepp Straka, Tyrrell Hatton, Rasmus Hojgaard, and their Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, as well as Ireland’s Padraig Harrington and Seamus Power.

Rasmus, who will tee it up alongside twin brother Nicolai, returns as a former champion, having claimed the title in 2024 at Royal County Down.

Reed, the 2018 Masters champion, leads the Race to Dubai Rankings Delivered by DP World after recording two victories, a runner-up finish and a further two top-ten results during an impressive 2026 season.

The American is a three-time Ryder Cup player and returns to the Irish Open having made his tournament debut at The K Club in 2025. "I'm really looking forward to playing at Doonbeg for the first time. Ireland has such a rich golfing history and the fans always create an incredible atmosphere," said Reed, a five-time DP World Tour winner.

MacIntyre was a key member of Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup teams in Rome in 2023 and New York in 2025, and has established himself among the leading names in the game.

Without a victory in 2026, he has enjoyed success on both the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR. He has won three national opens - the Scottish Open, Italian Open and Canadian Open - and will be aiming to add another prestigious title to that collection when he returns to the Amgen Irish Open.

The Scot said: "The Irish Open is always a special tournament and I'm delighted to be returning. The support from the Irish fans is among the best we experience anywhere in the world, and I'm looking forward to competing on the West Coast and hopefully giving them plenty to cheer about," said MacIntyre.

Straka has continued to establish himself among the game’s leading players, becoming the first Austrian to win on the PGA Tour with victory at the 2022 Honda Classic before adding further victories to become a four-time winner on the circuit.

The Austrian makes his Irish Open debut at Doonbeg after representing Europe in the team’s victories in Rome and New York. "I'm excited to play the Irish Open for the first time and experience Doonbeg. Ireland has such a proud golfing tradition and it's always special to compete in front of passionate golf fans. I'm looking forward to the challenge of the course and being part of what promises to be a great week," said Straka.

After a disappointing return to the PGA Tour, Brooks Koepka is crossing the Atlantic. The three-time US PGA Championship winner and double U.S. Open champion returns for his second appearance, having played at the K Club 12 months ago.

The 36-year-old American, who posted a top 30 finish at The 154th Open, will be aiming for maiden success on Irish soil. "I’m looking forward to coming back to Ireland," said Koepka, a seven-time DP World Tour winner. "I’m excited to experience the challenges of links golf at Doonbeg for the first time, and once again play in front of some of the most passionate golf fans. It’s always great to be back playing in Europe."

Tournament Winners:

It was won in 2016 and 2025 by Rory McIlroy, in 2017 and 2019 by Jon Rahm, in 2018 by Russell Knox, in 2020 by John Catlin, in 2021 by Lucas Herbert, in 2022 by Adrian Meronk, in 2023 by Vincent Norman and in 2024 by Rasmus Hojgaard.

The Course:

Trump International is a links course that was designed by Greg Norman and opened in 2002. It is a par 72 measuring 7,400 yards. After experiencing some financial problems it was bought by Donald Trump for about £14m in 2014. It features narrow fairways, dunes, proper pot bunkers and thick rough and if the wind blows it is going to provide a proper test.

Form Guide:

Rory McIlroy will be the fan favourite but after successfully defending his Masters title in April he has had a pretty indifferent season. However, a return to Ireland will surely provide the spark he needs.

Prize Money:

Total prize money is $6m with 5,000 Race to Dubai points and 1,500 Ryder Cup points going to the winner.

How to Watch:

Thursday, September 10, Sky Sports Golf, 1.30pm; Friday, September 11, Sky Sports+, 9.30am; Saturday, September 12, Sky Sports+, 2.30pm; Sunday, September 13, Sky Sports+, 1.30pm.