Shane Lowry will take a four-shot lead into the final round of the Amgen Irish Open, but Rory McIlroy’s title defence is over following a round that was played amid the arrival of United States President Donald Trump on Air Force One.

Lowry, the home favourite, closed in on a first individual title since 2022 after shooting a five-under-par 65 at the Trump International Golf Links and Hotel in Doonbeg, with Dane Jacob Skov Olesen in second.

McIlroy’s four-over 74 saw him finish the day in a tie for 50th, all but ending his bid to win the tournament for a third time.

The 37-year-old was on the third hole when Air Force One flew overhead, with Trump arriving to watch the action having travelled to Ireland for a two-day official and sporting visit.

placeholder image — Rory McIlroy finishes on the 18th green on day three of the Irish Open at Trump International in County Clare. (Photo by Damien Eagers/PA Wire)

McIlroy confirmed he would be attending a dinner with Trump, who owns the course and applauded the world number two at the 18th.

When asked about the President’s arrival, McIlroy told reporters: “I guess that’s not the experience we’re used to in a way. I think it’s Air Force One’s maiden voyage, so that was pretty cool.

“Cool to sort of see all that going on. I was trying to avoid making doubles at that point, so I was trying to concentrate on my own stuff as well.”

A pair of double bogeys early in the round put paid to McIlroy’s hopes of repeating his Irish Open triumphs of 2016 and 2025.

“Two doubles in the first six holes wasn’t the way I wanted to start, obviously,” he said. “There were a couple of wayward drives.

“I took a chance on three trying to hit a driver there and get it close to the green and hit it out of bounds or lost ball, either/or.

“Then same thing on six. Tried to get it up close to the green, had to take an unplayable and made another one there. So no momentum early.

“And then it was a tough enough day. The wind was up and stuff and I just couldn’t quite get it back after that.”

Lowry, who excelled with his putting on the back nine to move to 16 under overall, is chasing only his second Irish Open title.

“I thought if I could shoot a good score I could pull myself away a little bit,” Lowry told RTE Sport.

“I feel like I did a good job on the back nine. I felt like I stayed in the fight the whole day and I did some great work on the back nine and I’m very proud of myself.

“It’s a big day for me tomorrow (Sunday). I’m going out leading my home tournament and it would mean the world to me to knock this one off.

“I’m going to have to put my head down, get back to work whenever my tee time is tomorrow and give it a run.”