AMGEN IRISH OPEN

September 12, 2026

Rory McIlroy

Trump International Golf Links & Hotel

Quick Quotes

Q. How was it out there?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, two doubles in the first six holes wasn't the way I wanted to start it, obviously. Yeah, a couple of wayward drives. I took a chance on 3 trying to hit driver there and get it close to the green and hit it out of bounds or lost ball, either/or. Then same thing on 6. Tried to get it up close to the green, had to take an unplayable and made another one there. So no momentum early. And then it was a tough enough day. Obviously, the wind was up and stuff. Yeah, just couldn't quite get it back after that.

Q. You were mentioning to us that reading the greens had been quite problematic to you so far this week. How was that today?

RORY McILROY: More of the same. I didn't give myself as many chances as I did yesterday but the chances that I did give myself, same thing. Feel like I'm hitting good putts, they're just either misreads or just burning the edges.

Q. What was it like playing out there today with the buzz of air force one landing, choppers landing, the president arriving?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, I mean, quite the, um, I guess not the experience we're used to in a way. I think it's Air Force One's maiden voyage, I think. So that was pretty cool. Cool to sort of see all that going on. I was trying to avoid making doubles at that point so I was trying to concentrate on my own stuff as well.

Q. I know you'll be concentrating on yourself tomorrow, but how much would you like to see an Irish winner here, Shane and Tom McKibbin doing really well?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, absolutely, I think there's a great buzz around the tournament because Shane's up there and leading. So, yeah, hopefully he keeps it going, that would be great for obviously Irish golf.

Q. Taking driver on 3, would you have found the ball if you didn't have the distraction of Air Force One flying overhead, I think it was an unplanned one.

RORY McILROY: It wasn't here at that point, I think it was at 6 whenever we were playing.

Q. The plane went overhead when you were looking for your ball.

RORY McILROY: I don't see what a plane at 10,000 feet has got to do with looking for a ball on the ground.

Q. Will you be attending the dinner with the President?

RORY McILROY: I am.

Q. Did it take a little bit out of you as it was going over your head?

RORY McILROY: No.

Q. Because it was going over your head. Too busy?

RORY McILROY: I see it all the time in Palm Beach.