Guests: Ed Walsh, U.S. Ambassador to Ireland; Patrick O’Donovan, Ireland Minister for Arts, Culture, Communications, Media and Sport; Max Hamilton, Executive Commercial Director, DP World Tour; Fraser Thompson, Director of Golf, Adare Manor; and Fiona Togher, General Manager, Carne Golf Club.
Description: Host Ann Liguori moderates a discussion that focuses on golf in Ireland, including the Irish Open’s rising global profile, Ryder Cup leadership, rivalries and legacies, and why Ireland is the soul of world golf.
Talking Points
▪️ Ed Walsh shares stories about his first couple months in office, including attending the Open Championship at Royal Portrush, watching his first hurling match, welcoming the Rooney ownership group to the Ambassador’s residence when the Pittsburgh Steelers visited Dublin for its NFL game, and his goal of playing every golf course in Ireland, as ordered by President Donald Trump.
▪️ Patrick O’Donovan on the importance of a U.S.-Ireland relationship.
▪️ Fraser Thompson on preparations are underway at Adare Manor to increase access to the area and improvements to the golf course.
▪️ Paul McGinley talks about what makes Ireland golf so special for American golfers, the Irish "craic."
▪️ Padraig Harrington’s memories of playing Greg Norman at Doonbeg during its official opening on July 9, 2002. Doonbeg is a Norman-designed course.
▪️ McGinley on how the local communities embrace the Irish Open every year.
▪️ Harrington on what he learned from playing in six Ryder Cups, on K Club fans being the "nicest," on seeing the incredible growth of the Ryder Cup through the years, and his belief that the 2027 Ryder Cup won’t have the tension of former Ryder Cups.
▪️ McGinley on the challenge for the European Team to not lose "our edge" among Irish jubilation at the 2027 Ryder Cup.
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Cover photo: European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, left, and vice captain Padraig Harrington talk strategy during the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in Perthshire, Scotland.
Photo: David Lloyd / Golffile.