Fairway Diplomacy: How Golf Became Ireland's Secret Weapon Against Trump

Fairway Diplomacy: How Golf Became Ireland's Secret Weapon Against Trump

September 9, 2026 · 41 min · Season 2026 · Episode 74

About this episode

The episode discusses the intersection of golf and diplomacy in the context of Ireland's relationship with the US, particularly regarding Donald Trump's visit.

Donald Trump touches down in Doonbeg this weekend for the Irish Open at his own golf course, and we're asking whether Ireland should protest or play along. We unpack the extraordinary Irish-American relationship: 40 daily flights to the US, $1.3 trillion in American investment, 300,000 jobs, and a bond built more on kitchen tables than diplomacy. We're joined by Donal Casey, former CEO of Rory McIlroy Inc., to talk golf's economics, why LIV Golf failed despite Saudi billions, and how the fairway - not the barricades, might be Ireland's smartest move with America's most unpredictable president. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Hosts: David McWilliams, John Davis

Guest: Donal Casey

Topics covered

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Ireland, Doonbeg

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