AMGEN IRISH OPEN

September 9, 2026

Rory McIlroy

Trump International Golf Links & Hotel

Quick Quotes

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Q. How many times have you watched that eagle putt back from last year?

RORY McILROY: You know, I have watched it back a lot but not really for my part in it, but just like the reaction of the crowd. And I said in the press conference, like there's this one like son and dad that embrace and hug, and it's just so cool. Like to be able to have a moment like that and have so many people like be a part of it, enjoy it with me, it was very cool.

Yeah, it's one of the -- of all the moments I've had in my career, when all is said and done, it will be up there with the best ones.

Q. 45 professional wins but where does that rank for you?

RORY McILROY: I think the manner in which I won it, you know, needing an eagle on the last to get into the playoff and winning the playoff, I think any time you win your National Open that's a pretty important moment in your career. I was able to do that nine years before that at the same place. I mean, obviously that's up there. I'd love to win an Irish Open now and it's a good opportunity to do that this week.

Q. Did last year feel any different to 2016 at all?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, it did. I think I came in there with a bit -- it's funny. I felt like there was a bit more on my shoulders coming back after winning the Masters and the Grand Slam.

But it all felt like it could have felt heavy, and it might have felt heavy to me a few years back, but it all felt very light, if that makes sense. I didn't feel like that was a burden to me at all. I played free for the whole week, and played well, and obviously ended up winning. There's a good lesson in there.

I probably would have approached it differently mentally a few years before that, but I embraced everything, and it paid off for me.

Q. Speaking of the crowds last year and this year, you have thousands following you, are the crowds something that you try and shut out or do you try to embrace it as the week goes on?

RORY McILROY: You have to strike a balance -- and you have to embrace it. I was one of these kids not that long ago showing up to Irish Opens and getting autographs. You have to embrace that. It doesn't seem like that long ago that I was one of them. So I feel like I have to show my appreciation for that for sure.

Q. In 2016, you said you didn't perform as you wanted. With the pressure and obligations that go with it, how do you deal with it now and what's made a difference?

RORY McILROY: I think it's embracing it and not trying to shy away from it. I think if you look, my career as a whole, when I have actually started to embrace things, even the journey to try to win the Masters, if I actually embrace that instead of trying away from that, the embrace part has actually really worked for me. I've sort of tried to use that and use that in places like The Irish Open where there is pressure and there's responsibilities and obligations, but I'd rather be in this position than not be in this position. I have to keep that in perspective.

Q. This course has been here for over 20 years. You've had a look at it.

RORY McILROY: Yeah, it's all weather dependent on this golf course. If the wind picks up and you get that strong wind off the ocean, it can start to play very, very difficult. If we get a benign day like the first couple days, you think it could be low scoring. There's been a lot of rain over the last few weeks.

We're looking at a pretty soft links course with no wind. Any links course is vulnerable whenever you have those conditions. But I think the wind picks up again at the weekend. So looks like you sort of have to make your score early on and hang on the last couple holes.