Donald Trump made a dramatic entrance at the Irish Open, sending Air Force One over the tournament venue before his planned arrival at the golf course.
The presidential aircraft swept low over Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg, County Clare, which is hosting the prestigious tournament for the first time.
Trump was travelling to nearby Shannon before he was scheduled to take a helicopter to the venue and watch Saturday’s play, featuring some of golf’s leading names. Before landing, however, Air Force One appeared to make a detour to pass directly over the course.
Rory McIlroy is the tournament’s biggest draw, while fellow Ryder Cup player Shane Lowry began the weekend at the top of the leaderboard.
The flyover came at an unfortunate moment for McIlroy, with Air Force One passing overhead as he searched for his ball following an errant tee shot on the third hole.
McIlroy started the day at two-under after a challenging opening two rounds. His problems deepened at the third, where his tee shot found trouble and he ultimately recorded a double-bogey six.
Donald Trump flew over the Irish Open in Air Force One before arriving at the course
Trump performed the flyover on Saturday before his arrival via helicopter later in the day
Air Force One flew over when McIlroy was on Hole 3 and looking for his ball after a bad shot
The result was a remarkable scene, with McIlroy, spectators and volunteers all trying to locate the ball as Air Force One roared overhead and interrupted the search.
Earlier in the day, McIlroy was filmed shaking hands with Eric Trump before his tee time, with the President’s son, whose kids go to the same Florida school as McIlroy’s daughter, Poppy, speaking glowingly about their relationship.
‘[Rory’s] been a great master of golf,’ Eric Trump said. ‘He’s always been incredibly kind to us. My kids go to the same school as his. We see him in Jupiter, Florida, where we live, all the time.
‘He’s had nothing but great things to say about the hotel. He’s played with many of our properties over the years, whether it be Cadillac Championship at Doral [in Miami], you know, most of our properties easily at some point.
MORE STORY: NBC Boosts Security at ‘Today’ Studio After Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping, Intruder Incident
‘He’s a fantastic guy and person that we respect immensely and certainly has been a friend of the family, and it’s great to have him here.’
McIlroy seemed keen to avoid getting dragged into a political discussion at the tournament, although he discussed the ‘logistical challenge’ of Trump’s arrival. As Air Force One flew over, Secret Service personnel were arriving at the course to prepare for his arrival via helicopter later in the day.
‘I think when the sitting President of the United States of America visits anywhere, it becomes a logistical challenge,’ McIlroy said. ‘There’s a lot that goes into it.
‘They obviously have to lock down a specific area and make sure that it’s safe for him to travel into, and the entire delegation, whoever that is.
‘Logistically, it provides a bit of a challenge but we are at one of his properties that he has kindly provided for us to play a golf tournament.’
Trump landed in Shannon before taking a helicopter to his course for the Irish Open
McIlroy is the star attraction in his home country but Shane Lowry led after two days of play
But McIlroy made it clear that despite the challenges, Trump was welcome to attend at a course McIlroy told organizers was a good fit for the event.
‘I said yesterday, the President of the United States wants to come watch a little bit of golf. I think we are all happy to be here, grateful to be here,’ McIlroy said.
‘His presence at the Irish Open makes it a truly international event. That brings more attention and eyeballs to the Irish Open, and it can only be a good thing.’
He explained: ‘So the DP World Tour reached out to me and said, ‘Do you think Doonbeg will be a suitable venue for the Irish Open?’ I said, ‘Look, I haven’t been there but from all accounts, I hear it’s a very, very good golf course with accommodation onsite.
‘The Irish Open has not been in this part of the world in several years, since Lahinch in 2019. I think it would be a good thing.’