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Eric Trump<\/strong> called Rory McIlroy<\/strong> his \u201cfriend\u201d and expressed his gratitude for the golfer\u2019s support of the Trump family.<\/p>\n\u201cRory\u2019s become a friend. And frankly, I\u2019d say without Rory\u2019s support, I\u2019m not even sure if we\u2019d have it here,\u201d Eric, 42, said of McIlroy, 36, backing the decision for the Irish Open to take place at President Donald Trump<\/strong>\u2019s golf course in Doonbeg, County Clare, Ireland, in an interview with The Belfast Telegraph<\/em> published on Sunday, January 25.<\/p>\nEric added that he promised McIlroy that Doonbeg would host \u201cthe best Irish Open that Ireland has ever seen.\u201d Eric shared that his father, 79, plans on attending the three-day event, scheduled to take place from September 10 to 13.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he\u2019s gonna be here,\u201d Eric said of the president. \u201cHe really wants to be here \u2014 and I know Rory definitely wants him here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eric also shared that McIlroy has formed a close bond with him and the whole Trump family.<\/p>\n
\u201cRory has been super supportive of the family,\u201d Eric told the outlet. \u201cI was just with him two weeks ago. He played at Trump Jupiter.\u201d<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, Kai Trump<\/strong> \u2014 the daughter of Donald Trump Jr.<\/strong> and Vanessa Trump<\/strong> \u2014 spent some time on the golf course with McIlroy. (Kai, 18, is currently an amateur golfer who has committed to play for the University of Miami\u2019s women\u2019s golf team this year.)<\/p>\n\u201cBest way to start the year,\u201d Kai captioned a snap of her and the pro golf champion via Instagram.<\/p>\n
Last year, McIlroy played a round of golf with the president, an avid golfer and fan of the sport. Following the outing, McIlroy spoke to the media regarding what he believes to be the Commander-in-Chief\u2019s stance on the PGA over the growing popularity of LIV golf.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was like, but you\u2019ve hosted their events,\u201d McIlroy said of Trump\u2019s opinion of LIV golf in February 2025. \u201cHe was like, \u2018Yeah, but it doesn\u2019t mean that I like it.\u2019 So I think he\u2019s on the tour\u2019s side.\u201d<\/p>\n
Months later, the golfers of Team Europe \u2014 which included McIlroy, Justin Rose<\/strong>, Tommy Fleetwood<\/strong> and Jon Rahm<\/strong> \u2014 had a message for Donald after beating Team USA at the 2025 Ryder Cup.<\/p>\n\u201cAre you watching? Are you watching? Are you watching? Are you watching, Donald Trump? Are you watching Donald Trump?\u201d the group sang in while taking in their victory with the trophy during the September 2025 event.<\/p>\n
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