Rory McIlroy admits this year’s Irish Open will feel like a “different” spectacle given US President Donald Trump’s anticipated visit during the tournament’s latter stages.

Trump is expected to attend the event – which is being held at his resort in the County Clare village of Doonbeg – this weekend as part of a two-day visit to Ireland.

McIlroy has previously played golf with Trump, who earlier this year praised the Northern Irishman’s accomplishments on the course after winning back-to-back Masters titles.

“It’s going to be different, but the one thing I’d say is his golf resorts have hosted PGA Tour events, European Tour events, LIV events,” McIlroy told BBC Sport NI’s Stephen Watson.

“He’s a big fan of golf, he’s a wonderful supporter of golf. He’s got a beautiful property here in Doonbeg – it’s the first time I’ve played it. I wouldn’t say it’s a true links golf course, it’s a bit of an Americanised version of a links course, but it’s still a great golf course and should provide a good test for the week.

“It’s going to be different with him being here but we’re here to play a golf tournament and it’s a good golf course and keep our head down and play.”

During his long-planned visit to Ireland, Trump will meet Irish President Catherine Connolly and hold a bilateral meeting with the Taoiseach [Irish prime minister] Micheal Martin.

He may also present the Irish Open winner with the trophy on Sunday evening amid a significantly enhanced security presence at the property he purchased in 2014.

“I think the weekend, especially when he’s here [will feel different], crowds will be limited,” added McIlroy.

“Obviously, there’s a lot that goes on. So, logistically, it provides some challenges, absolutely. But at the same time, if he wants to come and watch the Irish Open, who are we to say no?”

Six-time major winner McIlroy headlines a strong field at Doonbeg that also features LIV players such as Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and Tom McKibbin.

The 2026 LIV season ended early following the cancellation of its team championship in Michigan amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the tour’s future.

On Tuesday, two-time major winner Rahm was tight-lipped about his future and said he was not fretting about the “turbulence” away from the course.

“It’s a hard one – I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes at the minute and I think just the headspace that it’s taken up with the guys, fighting for money or the contracts or where they’re going to be playing over the next few years,” said McIlroy, 37.

“It’s more like the uncertainty for them and it would be nice I think for everyone just to have a bit of certainty around the game and know what’s going on and where certain players are going to be playing.

“I’m obviously glad that I’m not really a part of that and I know what I’m going to be doing the next few years, but for everyone involved it would be nice to have certainty and just sort of move forward.”

Like Rahm, McIlroy hopes to join European legends Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie on three Irish Open wins after capturing his second title at the K Club last year.

McIlroy also finished runner-up to Rasmus Hojgaard at Royal County Down in 2024 and the world number two believes he is “more relaxed” playing in front of home crowds having also secured a top-10 finish in last year’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

“I probably went a few years where I wasn’t very proud of how I played in the Irish Open,” said McIlroy, whose first Irish Open success also came at the K Club in 2016.

“I sort of struggled to deal with the obligations or the pressure or whatever it was, but I think I’m a little bit more relaxed about it these days.

“It’s nice to have been able to win it a couple of times and I think coming back after the year that I’ve had and winning another Masters…I still feel pressure at times playing golf, but coming back to a home crowd and a home open, that shouldn’t be one of those.”

McIlroy, who finished the PGA Tour play-offs with back-to-back top-four finishes, begins his title defence at 13:35 BST on Thursday. He has been grouped with five-time major winner Brooks Koepka and European Ryder Cup team-mate Robert MacIntyre.