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Joaquin Niemann leads Irish Open as Rory McIlroy trails by four

4 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 10, 2026, 8:35 PM

Last updated Sep 10, 2026

Joaquin Niemann leads Irish Open as Rory McIlroy trails by four

Summary

Joaquin Niemann holds the clubhouse lead at the Irish Open after carding an opening round of five-under-par at Trump International Golf Links and Hotel. Blustery conditions and sporadic showers created a difficult environment for the field in County Clare on Thursday. Rory McIlroy sits four shots behind the leader at one-under-par following a round that included a double-bogey on the 13th hole. Shane Lowry finished his first round at three-under-par, placing him two shots off the lead alongside Shaun Norris. Play was suspended for several golfers due to fading light, with those competitors set to return to the course on Friday morning to conclude their opening rounds. Several high-profile players struggled with the weather, including Brooks Koepka and Sergio Garcia, who finished five-over-par.

Source Links

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Status Watch

•Joaquin Niemann leads the tournament at five-under-par.
•Rory McIlroy shot a one-under-par 69 during the first round.
•Shane Lowry is two shots off the lead at three-under-par.
•Fading light forced play to be suspended for several competitors.
•Brooks Koepka and Sergio Garcia carded five-over-par rounds.

Latest Updates

8:35 PMYahoo Sports — Joaquin Niemann leads wind-blown Irish Open at Doonbeg
7:49 PMYahoo Sports — McIlroy four behind leader Niemann at Irish Open
7:42 PMBBC Sport — McIlroy four behind leader Niemann at Irish Open

What they're saying

"
Joaquin Niemann ran off four straight birdies down the closing stretch at the Irish Open on Thursday that carried him to a 5-under 65 and a two-shot lead among those who managed to finish in wind strong enough to slow play and keep the round from finishing. Shane Lowry, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm faced the worst of the wind at Trump International, the cliffside course along the Atlantic Coast. Lowry played bogey-free on the back nine, saving par with a 10-foot putt on the 17th hole, and came in at 67.
— Yahoo Sports

"
Rory McIlroy battled on against testing blustery conditions at the Amgen Irish Open to sit four shots off the clubhouse lead following a one-under par opening round, with Ireland's Shane Lowry two off the top.
— Sky Sports