Irish Open Leaderboard 2026 - Live Golf Scores & Results

The 2026 Amgen Irish Open returns to Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg in County Clare from September 10-13. The DP World Tour event marks the second time the dramatic links course on the Wild Atlantic Way has hosted Ireland's national open championship.

Course Details - Trump International Doonbeg

Trump International Doonbeg opened in 2002 and was redesigned by Martin Hawtree in 2014-2016. The links course runs along the Atlantic coastline with towering dunes, fast-running fairways, and exposed greens that demand precision in the coastal wind.

Course specifications:

• Par: 72 (35-37)
• Length: 7,200+ yards (tournament setup)
• Designer: Greg Norman (original), Martin Hawtree (redesign)
• Type: True links
• Notable holes: Par-3 14th (Fortress), Par-4 18th along the beach

The course plays significantly differently depending on wind direction and strength. Southwesterly winds off the Atlantic can add 2-3 clubs to approach shots on the back nine. Doonbeg rewards links specialists who can flight the ball low and work it both ways. For more information on Irish links courses, including Doonbeg, visit our golf courses and travel guide.

2026 Irish Open Field & Favourites

Tournament field announcements typically arrive in July. The Irish Open attracts a stronger field than most DP World Tour events due to its Rolex Series status, which offers elevated prize money and Race to Dubai points. American PGA Tour players with Irish heritage or links affinity often make the trip.

Expected contenders include top European players, American PGA Tour players with Irish heritage, and links specialists suited to Doonbeg's coastal conditions.

Irish Open Tee Times 2026

Irish Open tee times are published on the Tuesday before the tournament on the DP World Tour website. Tournament play begins at approximately 7:00 AM local time with staggered starts off the 1st and 10th tees.

Tee times determine when players begin their rounds and are essential information for spectators planning to watch specific groups. The times also matter for betting markets - many bookmakers offer first-round leader bets and group matchup wagers based on tee time pairings.

Thursday Tee Times - Round 1

Opening round tee times for the Irish Open typically run from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Thursday. Early starters benefit from calmer morning conditions at Doonbeg, while afternoon waves often face stronger coastal winds. The first and tenth tees operate simultaneously to accommodate the full field.

Feature groups - usually including McIlroy, Lowry, and other marquee names - receive prime afternoon slots for maximum television coverage. These groups tee off between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to align with European broadcast schedules.

Friday Tee Times - Round 2

Friday's tee times run in reverse order from Thursday. Players who teed off early Thursday start late Friday, and vice versa. This format ensures all competitors experience both morning and afternoon conditions before the cut.

The cut line becomes clear by Friday afternoon as players finish their second rounds. The top 65 players and ties advance to weekend play. Check the live Irish Open leaderboard on Friday evening to see who makes the cut and which players are eliminated.

Saturday Tee Times - Moving Day

Saturday tee times for round three start earlier than the first two rounds - typically 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM - allowing all players to complete 54 holes before darkness. Players go off in twos rather than threes, and the final groups (leaders and contenders) tee off last.

Saturday is known as "moving day" in golf. Players outside the top 10 after 36 holes make their runs at the leaders, while those near the lead try to position themselves for Sunday. The Irish Open scoreboard changes dramatically on Saturday afternoons at Doonbeg when wind conditions shift.

Sunday Tee Times - Final Round

Sunday's Irish Open tee times determine the championship. The final groups - typically the top 3-5 on the leaderboard - start between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM Irish time for prime European television coverage. Leaders play in the last pairing and tee off around 2:45 PM.

Final round tee times run from approximately 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. All players complete their rounds by early evening, with the trophy presentation taking place on the 18th green around 6:00 PM.

Where to find tee times:

• DP World Tour website: europeantour.com/tournaments
• DP World Tour app: Real-time tee time updates and changes
• Tournament social media: @IrishOpenGolf on Twitter/X

Tee times occasionally change due to weather delays or course conditions. The DP World Tour announces any adjustments through official channels, typically 2-3 hours before play begins.

How to Follow the Irish Open Leaderboard Live

The live Irish Open leaderboard updates every few minutes during tournament play. Access it through:

1. DP World Tour official website: europeantour.com - Navigate to the Irish Open tournament page for the real-time leaderboard, hole-by-hole scoring, and statistics.
2. DP World Tour app: Available on iOS and Android. The app provides push notifications for key moments, player scorecards, and live video highlights.
3. PGA Tour app: If dual-sanctioned with PGA Tour members in the field, the PGA Tour app may also carry live scoring.

The leaderboard shows current score relative to par, today's round score, through (holes completed), and tee time. Players still on the course appear in red text. Completed rounds show final scores in black.

Where to watch:

• TV (Ireland): RTÉ 2 (Thursday-Sunday)
• TV (UK): Sky Sports Golf
• Streaming: DP World Tour website and app (geo-restricted)
• Radio: RTÉ Radio 1 Sport (weekend rounds)

For full broadcast schedules and streaming options, visit RTÉ Sport.

RTÉ's coverage typically runs from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Thursday-Friday and noon to 6:00 PM on Saturday-Sunday. Sky Sports provides all-day coverage from morning waves through leader groups.

The 2026 KPMG Women's Irish Open takes place at The K Club from August 27-30. The Ladies European Tour event returns to the Arnold Palmer-designed Ryder Cup course in County Kildare for the fourth consecutive year.

The K Club has hosted the Women's Irish Open since 2023, establishing Ireland's premier women's professional tournament at one of the country's most prestigious venues. The Palmer Course previously hosted the 2006 Ryder Cup - Europe's largest-margin victory in the modern era - and remains one of Ireland's most recognisable parkland layouts.

Course Details - The K Club (Palmer Course)

The Palmer Course at The K Club opened in 1991 and stretches over 7,300 yards of parkland along the River Liffey. Water hazards come into play on 14 holes, with the signature island green on the par-3 17th and the risk-reward par-5 18th providing dramatic finishes.

Course specifications:

• Par: 72 (36-36)
• Length: 6,800 yards (women's professional setup)
• Designer: Arnold Palmer
• Type: Parkland
• Notable holes: Par-3 8th (over water), Par-3 17th (island green), Par-5 18th (risk-reward)

The K Club's parkland design contrasts sharply with Ireland's traditional links venues. Tree-lined fairways, elevated greens, and strategic water placement reward accuracy over links-style ground game.

Women's Irish Open Field & Past Winners

The Women's Irish Open field typically includes:

• Top-ranked Ladies European Tour players
• Rising stars from the LET Access Series
• Irish professionals, including Leona Maguire (when schedule permits)

The K Club has hosted the Women's Irish Open since 2023, establishing Ireland's premier women's professional tournament at one of the country's most prestigious venues.

Prize money for the Women's Irish Open increased in 2024 following KPMG's title sponsorship, strengthening the field quality. The tournament falls strategically in late August, bridging the summer LET schedule and autumn events.

Women's Irish Open Tee Times 2026

Women's Irish Open tee times follow the same format as the men's tournament. Tee times are published on Tuesday before the event via the Ladies European Tour website and app.

Daily schedule:

• Wednesday: Pro-Am (sponsors and celebrities play with tour pros)
• Thursday-Friday: First and second rounds, morning and afternoon waves
• Saturday-Sunday: Cut-day Saturday, then final round Sunday with leaders teeing off around 1:00 PM

The KPMG Women's Irish Open uses a 36-hole cut. The top 60 players and ties advance to weekend play. The Ladies European Tour app provides live updates on tee time changes and weather delays.

How to Follow Women's Irish Open Scores

Live scoring for the Women's Irish Open is available through:

• Ladies European Tour website: ladieseuropeantour.com — Real-time leaderboard with shot-by-shot tracking for feature groups.
• LET app: iOS and Android apps provide live scoring, news updates, and player profiles.
• Golf Ireland social media: Twitter/X and Instagram carry updates during tournament play.
• TV coverage: RTÉ typically broadcasts weekend rounds with highlights packages. Check RTÉ Player for live streaming options during the tournament.

Ireland's four provincial championships - South of Ireland, West of Ireland, North of Ireland, and East of Ireland - form the backbone of Irish amateur golf. These strokeplay tournaments determine the best amateur golfers in each province and serve as qualifying pathways for international amateur competitions.

South of Ireland Amateur Open Championship

The South of Ireland Amateur Open ranks as the most prestigious of the four provincial championships. Held annually at Lahinch Golf Club in County Clare, the championship dates back to 1895 and attracts Ireland's top amateur players plus international entries.

2026 South of Ireland details:

• Dates: Late July (typically Tuesday-Saturday, dates announced by Golf Ireland)
• Venue: Lahinch Golf Club (Old Course)
• Format: 72-hole strokeplay
• Field: 144 players (qualifying held Monday)

The South of Ireland played at Lahinch is Ireland's equivalent to the British Amateur. Past champions include Joe Carr (12 titles), Rory McIlroy, Pádraig Harrington, and Shane Lowry. The Old Course at Lahinch - with its blind shots, dramatic terrain, and exposed coastal setting - rewards course management and mental resilience.

How to follow South of Ireland golf results: Live scoring is available through the Golf Ireland app and website during the championship. Lahinch Golf Club posts updates via social media. South of Ireland golf 2026 results appear on our tournament calendar within hours of completion.

West of Ireland Amateur Open Championship

The West of Ireland Amateur Open takes place at County Sligo Golf Club (Rosses Point) every Easter. Founded in 1923, the championship attracts a strong field across the Easter weekend with strokeplay qualifying followed by matchplay knockout rounds.

2026 West of Ireland details:

• Dates: Easter Weekend 2026 (Good Friday-Easter Monday, dates announced by Golf Ireland)
• Venue: County Sligo Golf Club, Rosses Point
• Format: 36-hole strokeplay qualifying (Friday-Saturday), then matchplay (Sunday-Monday)
• Past champions: Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell, Paul McGinley

Rosses Point's clifftop links overlook Sligo Bay with Ben Bulben mountain as the backdrop. The course challenges players with narrow fairways, tiered greens, and punishing rough. Wind direction dictates strategy - northerlies bring calm, southwesterlies create chaos.

West of Ireland golf leaderboard: The strokeplay qualifying leaderboard determines the top 64 players who advance to matchplay. The Golf Ireland app provides live West of Ireland golf results during qualifying rounds, with matchplay brackets updated after Saturday's cut.

North of Ireland Amateur Open Championship

The North of Ireland Amateur Open Championship is held at Royal Portrush Golf Club on the Dunluce Links, one of the world's great championship courses. The tournament typically runs in late June or early July.

2026 North of Ireland details:

• Dates: Late June or early July (dates announced by Golf Ireland)
• Venue: Royal Portrush Golf Club (Dunluce Links)
• Format: 72-hole strokeplay
• Notable: Played on the same course that hosted the 2019 Open Championship

Royal Portrush's Dunluce Links demands length, accuracy, and links expertise. The course runs through dunes with blind tee shots, elevated greens, and the iconic par-3 14th (Calamity Corner). Winning the North of Ireland golf championship 2026 at Portrush carries significant prestige given the venue's championship pedigree. For more on Royal Portrush and Ulster golf, visit our Golf in Ulster guide.

The North attracts the strongest international field of the four provincial championships due to Royal Portrush's global reputation. American and British amateurs regularly enter, viewing it as preparation for the British Amateur.

East of Ireland Amateur Open Championship

The East of Ireland Amateur Open Championship is held at County Louth Golf Club (Baltray) in early June. The links course north of Dublin has hosted the East since 1941 and provides one of Ireland's sternest strokeplay tests

2026 East of Ireland details:

• Dates: Early June (dates announced by Golf Ireland)
• Venue: County Louth Golf Club, Baltray
• Format: 72-hole strokeplay
• Course: Traditional links with deep bunkers and fast greens

Baltray's links design features narrow fairways bordered by thick rough, punishing pot bunkers, and greens that run quick in dry conditions. The course rarely yields low scores - level par is competitive most years. Past champions include Pádraig Harrington, Paul McGinley, and Peter Lawrie.

Irish Close Championship

The Irish Close Championship is Ireland's national amateur strokeplay championship, open to golfers registered through Golf Ireland clubs. The tournament rotates between venues annually and typically takes place in August.

The Close attracts Ireland's best club golfers - those who play regularly in inter-club competitions and provincial championships but may not compete at the international level. The format is 72-hole strokeplay over four days, with a 36-hole cut after the second round.

The Irish Close Championship rotates between premier Irish courses annually, with past venues including Lahinch Golf Club, Royal County Down, and other championship courses across Ireland.

• 2026 venue: To be announced by Golf Ireland

The Irish Close Championship serves as a final major amateur event before the autumn inter-club season concludes. Winners earn exemptions to the following year's provincial championships.

Irish club golf extends beyond the major championships to include inter-club team competitions and ladies' golf events. The AIG Senior Cup, AIG Junior Cup, AIG Jimmy Bruen Shield, and Barton Shield represent the highest level of club team golf, with provincial rounds running from May through September. These team matchplay competitions pit club against club in a five-player singles format, generating passionate local support and identifying Ireland's top club golfers. Ladies' golf in Ireland includes interprovincial competitions, girls' championships across multiple age groups, and club-level events through weekly competitions and annual club championships. Results from these competitions feed into the World Handicap System and help identify emerging talent for national and international selection.

For full fixtures and results across all Irish competitions, see our Irish golf tournament calendar.

The Masters - April 9-12

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry represent Irish interests at Augusta National (April 9-12). McIlroy continues his pursuit of major championship success while Lowry seeks his first Masters title. Watch on Sky Sports Golf with coverage from 7:00 AM daily.

PGA Championship - May 14-17

The PGA Championship takes place at Quail Hollow (May 14-17). Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry both compete at the tree-lined North Carolina venue.

U.S. Open - Shinnecock Hills

The U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills (June 18-21) features firm, fast links-style conditions that suit Shane Lowry's ground game. The windswept Long Island course rewards players comfortable in coastal conditions similar to Irish links golf.

The Open Championship - Royal Birkdale

Royal Birkdale hosts The Open Championship (July 16-19) on England's Lancashire coast. Shane Lowry's 2019 Open triumph at Royal Portrush established him as a perennial links contender. Rory McIlroy seeks his second Open title after winning at Hoylake in 2014.

Understanding golf scoring terminology helps when following live leaderboards.

Scoring Relative to Par

Golf leaderboards display scores relative to par:

• Under par (e.g., -5, -10): Player's score is below the course par. Lower is better.
• Level par (E or 0): Player has matched the course par.
• Over par (e.g., +2, +5): Player's score is above par. Higher is worse.

Example: If a player shoots 68 on a par-72 course, they are 4-under-par (-4).

Individual Hole Scores

• Albatross (Double Eagle): 3 under par on a hole (e.g., hole-in-one on a par-4, or 2 on a par-5)
• Eagle: 2 under par (e.g., 3 on a par-5)
• Birdie: 1 under par (e.g., 4 on a par-5)
• Par: Expected score (e.g., 4 on a par-4)
• Bogey: 1 over par (e.g., 5 on a par-4)
• Double bogey: 2 over par
• Triple bogey or worse: 3+ over par

Common Leaderboard Abbreviations

• Thru: Holes completed (e.g., "Thru 14" means 14 holes finished)
• F: Finished (round complete)
• T: Tied (e.g., T5 means tied for 5th place)
• MC: Missed cut (eliminated after 36 holes)
• WD: Withdrawn (player did not finish)
• DQ: Disqualified

Golf handicaps level the playing field between golfers of different abilities. The World Handicap System calculates your handicap index based on the best 8 score differentials from your last 20 rounds.

A handicap allows players to compete fairly in strokeplay and matchplay formats. In strokeplay competitions, your course handicap determines how many strokes you receive. In matchplay, handicaps calculate the stroke difference between opponents.

Example: A golfer with an 18 handicap receives 18 strokes during a round. If they shoot 90 on a par-72 course, their net score is 72 (90 - 18 = 72).

For a detailed explanation of how handicaps work, how to calculate your handicap index, and how to get a handicap in Ireland, read our comprehensive World Handicap System guide.

The Irish Open dates back to 1927 and has crowned some of golf's greatest champions. The tournament joined the DP World Tour (formerly European Tour) in 1975 and earned Rolex Series status - the tour's highest tier - in 2017.

Recent Irish Open champions:

• 2019: Jon Rahm (Lahinch Golf Club)
• 2020: Tournament cancelled (COVID-19)
• 2021: Lucas Herbert (Mount Juliet Estate)
• 2022: Adrian Meronk (Mount Juliet Estate)

The Irish Open rotates between Ireland's premier courses, with recent venues including Mount Juliet Estate, Lahinch, The K Club, Royal County Down, and Portstewart. The tournament's return to Doonbeg in 2026 marks the course's second Irish Open after its successful debut.

Irish winners since 2000:

• Pádraig Harrington: 2007
• Darren Clarke: 2001

Irish Open betting markets open in July when the field is confirmed. Top European and PGA Tour players typically start in the 8/1 to 14/1 range, with Irish favorites Shane Lowry often attracting significant support given his links expertise. Each-way betting (top-5 or top-10 finish) offers value on consistent performers at 25/1 or longer odds. First-round leader markets and group matchups provide alternative betting opportunities based on tee times and course form. For comprehensive golf betting tips, odds comparison across Irish bookmakers, and weekly tournament analysis, visit our golf betting section.