The Amgen Irish Open 2026 at Trump International Golf Links, Doonbeg, opened with a strong showing from Chile’s Joaqúin Niemann (-5), who fired a superb 65 to take the outright lead. His flawless finish, highlighted by birdies on 14 and 17, set the pace for the field.

Ireland’s Shane Lowry (-3) delighted home fans with a composed 67, joining South Africa’s Shaun Norris (-3), Poland’s Adrian Meronk (-3), Austria’s Maximilian Steinlechner (-3), and Italy’s Renato Paratore (-3) in a tie for second.

Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin (-2) impressed early with three birdies in his first four holes, while Spain’s Rafa Cabrera Bello (-2), New Zealand’s Kazuma Kobori (-2), France’s Frederic Lacroix (-2), and Scotland’s Connor Syme (-2) all finished at 68.

Local favorite Rory McIlroy (-1) opened with a 69, leaving him four shots off the lead after a double bogey at 13 stalled his momentum. Other Irish names struggled, with Pádraig Harrington (+1) fading late, and Max Kennedy, Cormac Sharvin, and Séamus Power finishing at +3.