While McIlroy will attract much of the attention in Doonbeg, he must fend off a high-quality field if he is to join European legends Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer and Colin Montgomerie on three Irish Open wins.
As always, there is a strong Irish contingent. Shane Lowry, who memorably won his national title as an amateur in 2009, is chasing his first individual win in four years. The 2019 Open champion finished tied 15th last year.
Tom McKibbin arrives in decent form. The 23-year-old was in contention for last month’s British Masters before a triple bogey early in the final round meant he had to settle for tied sixth.
Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington and two-time PGA Tour winner Seamus Power add further Irish interest.
Beyond the home hopes, there are a host of notable names. Two-time major winner Jon Rahm joins McIlroy in chasing a third Irish Open win after successes at Portstewart in 2017 and Lahinch two years later.
The Spaniard tees it up in Ireland amid ongoing uncertainty around LIV Golf’s future. The breakaway tour, which launched in 2022, ended its season early following the withdrawal of the Public Investment Fund’s financial backing.
McKibbin, England’s Tyrrell Hatton and Chile’s Joaquin Niemann are among the other LIV players in Ireland this week.
In addition, there is a strong European Ryder Cup flavour in the form of captain Luke Donald, Robert MacIntyre, Sepp Straka and twins Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard, who pipped McIlroy to the 2024 Irish Open at Royal County Down.
Five-time major winner Brooks Koepka also returns after missing the cut on his Irish Open debut last year.
