Donald Trump made an unexpected announcement during Shane Lowry’s Irish Open trophy presentation at Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg, turning an already memorable afternoon into an extraordinary moment.
After handing Lowry the Irish Open trophy following his record-breaking victory, Trump turned his attention to the issue of U.S. tariffs on Irish whiskey.
Speaking to the crowd gathered around the 18th green, the U.S. President revealed that both Lowry and Taoiseach Micheál Martin had raised the issue with him.
Trump said he had repeatedly been asked to intervene, telling the crowd:
“Everyone has been bugging me saying, ‘Would you do me a favour? It’s so unfair what’s going on. Could you possibly take the tariffs off of Irish whiskey?’”
He then delivered the announcement to loud cheers from the crowd.
“And I said on behalf of the United States of America, I am going to take the tariffs off Irish whiskey.”
The announcement immediately sparked a huge reaction from those watching the trophy presentation, adding an unexpected political and commercial twist to Lowry’s celebrations.
Lowry was also quick to joke about his alleged influence over the decision. Asked about Trump’s announcement, the newly crowned Irish Open champion said:
“He also announced he was removing tariffs on whiskey because of me… so distillers better start sending me a cheque.”
Lowry then added with a smile:
“I’ll take credit for that.”
LOWRY’S RECORD-BREAKING IRISH OPEN
The tariff announcement came at the end of an extraordinary week for Lowry, who produced a dominant performance on home soil.
The Offaly native finished the tournament at 23-under par, winning by an astonishing 11 shots — the largest winning margin in Irish Open history.
The victory was Lowry’s second Irish Open title, coming 17 years after his famous 2009 triumph as an amateur.
It was also the seventh DP World Tour victory of his career and his first tournament win in exactly four years.
Lowry had also revealed that he shared dinner with Trump on Saturday evening, with Rory McIlroy also attending. Trump subsequently remained at Doonbeg to watch Lowry complete his remarkable final round.
For Lowry, however, the biggest achievement was always going to be lifting the Irish Open trophy in front of his home supporters.
But by the time the presentation was over, the champion had also found himself at the centre of an unexpected announcement involving one of Ireland’s most famous exports.
