Donald Trump praises his golf game
President Donald Trump praised his golf ability on September 12, 2026, while visiting Ireland. On Truth Social, he posted a golf video and said he had little time to play.
The message appeared during a two-day Irish trip that included government meetings in Dublin and a visit to Trump International Golf Links Ireland, where the Amgen Irish Open was underway.
Donald Trump mixes golf with official duties
Trump posted the golf message Saturday before traveling to Doonbeg in County Clare. Later that day, he watched the Irish Open after completing meetings with Irish political leaders in Dublin.
The schedule combined presidential engagements with Trump’s personal interest in golf. He met Irish leaders before traveling west to attend the tournament at his family-owned Doonbeg resort.
Donald Trump owns a global golf portfolio
Trump Golf says its portfolio includes 21 properties worldwide. Listed locations include courses and resorts in the United States, Ireland, Scotland, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
Trump Golf traces its first acquisition to West Palm Beach in 1999. Since then, the portfolio has expanded across several countries, giving Trump a long commercial connection to the sport.
Donald Trump bought Doonbeg in 2014
Trump purchased the Doonbeg resort in Ireland in 2014. The 450-acre property sits along the Atlantic coast in County Clare, and its original golf course was designed by Greg Norman.
The resort became Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Ireland following the purchase. In September 2026, Doonbeg hosted the Amgen Irish Open for the first time, from Sept. 10-13.
Donald Trump attends a strong Irish Open field
The 2026 Irish Open featured nine major champions, eight players ranked inside the world top 50 and 20 Ryder Cup players. Rory McIlroy entered the week as the defending champion.
Trump’s visit added another major presence to the tournament. Organizers and players had anticipated a possible interruption when his presidential helicopter arrived on Saturday, and play was briefly suspended during his landing.
Donald Trump’s arrival briefly pauses play
Trump traveled from Dublin to Doonbeg by helicopter on September 12. His landing temporarily paused play, and players waited as presidential aircraft and security activity moved around the tournament site.
A large motorcade and expanded security operation accompanied the visit. Trump then watched the third round near the 18th green with family members and several professional golfers during the afternoon.
Shane Lowry leads as Trump arrives
Shane Lowry was leading when Trump arrived and later completed a 5-under 65 on Saturday. Lowry reached 16 under for the tournament and carried a four-shot lead into Sunday’s final.
Lowry one-putted every green on the back nine during Saturday’s round. The sequence strengthened his advantage and helped him separate from Jacob Skov Olesen before the final round began on Sunday.
Shane Lowry completes a record victory
Lowry finished the tournament at 23 under after a final-round 63. He won by 11 strokes over Patrick Reed and Joaquin Niemann, setting an Irish Open record for victory margin.
The result delivered Lowry’s second Irish Open title, 17 years after his 2009 amateur victory. His 257 total also established a new 72-hole scoring record for the tournament that week.
Donald Trump presents Lowry the trophy
Trump stayed at Doonbeg for Sunday’s finish and presented Lowry with the trophy. He praised the champion’s ability to handle pressure after watching the Irishman complete his record-setting victory there.
Trump said he had planned to leave earlier but stayed to watch Lowry win. The presentation connected his weekend appearance directly with the tournament’s final result at his Doonbeg resort.
Donald Trump’s golf trips carry costs
A March 2026 media analysis estimated Trump’s second-term golf-related travel and security costs at least $101.2 million after just over 14 months since his return to the presidency.
The analysis counted 110 days at Trump-owned golf courses after his January 2025 inauguration. It also recorded 56 visits to his West Palm Beach course by March 28, 2026.
Fun fact: Trump once drove a golf cart directly onto a putting green at his Bedminster course, a move that made golf course maintenance experts wince.
Donald Trump’s first term offers comparison
The same analysis estimated that Trump’s first-term golf-related travel and security cost taxpayers about $151.5 million. It counted 293 days at courses he owned during his first presidency overall then.
Those figures are media estimates rather than an official government total. They provide context for Trump’s September statement that his presidential schedule leaves him with very little time for golf.
Donald Trump began golf expansion in Florida
Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach became the first golf property acquired by the Trump Organization in 1999. Its championship course was designed by Jim Fazio and hosted one of the LPGA Tour’s major events on eight occasions.
Trump’s golf portfolio later expanded to Bedminster, Doral, Turnberry, Aberdeen, Doonbeg and other locations. Its current list also includes properties or developments in Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and Indonesia.
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Donald Trump keeps golf in public view
Trump’s September 12 Truth Social post was not his only recent public golf-related comment. During his two-day Ireland visit, he also discussed golf while speaking with reporters and attended the Irish Open at his Doonbeg resort.
His visit made golf part of his presidential schedule as he met Irish leaders in Dublin, traveled to Doonbeg, watched tournament play and presented Shane Lowry with the winner’s trophy on Sunday.
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Donald Trump says presidential duties leave little time for golf, even as the sport remains a visible part of his public schedule. Do you think that contrast matters? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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