Golf fans are already calling for big change at the Irish Open in 2026 with some wanting ‘petition’ to be started

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The Irish Open might not be one of the highlights of the golfing calendar, but it is still a significant event.

After the PGA Tour season ends at the Tour Championship, several top players then turn to the DP World Tour.

While next week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth has far more high-profile names, the Irish Open boasts quite a few.

Home favorites Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry have been desperate to win the title again at The K Club this weekend.

Meanwhile, LIV Golf stars Tyrrell Hatton, Brooks Koepka, and Patrick Reed also fancied the challenge.

However, many golf fans have criticized the DP World Tour for not making the Irish Open difficult enough.

• READ MORE: Frustrated Rory McIlroy reveals what he told his caddie on the 18th green on day three at the Irish Open

Golf fans criticize the Irish Open golf course

The K Club is one of the finest golf courses in Ireland and is more than capable of hosting a DP World Tour event.

Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington even claimed that the sixth hole is his favorite in the world.

Despite this, many fans have called for a major change to the tournament for the 2026 season, as the golf course is not deemed fit for purpose.

People associate Ireland with links golf courses and reject the idea of the Irish Open being played on a parkland course like The K Club.

Famous YouTube golfer Peter Finch commented: “Great to see Rory in full flow… but I wish we could have seen an incredible links course for the Irish Open.”

Another agreed: “Should be mandatory for any Irish or Scottish Open to be on a links course.”

A fan replied: “I prefer parkland golf myself, but I think every Irish Open should be held at a links venue to showcase exactly what Irish golf is all about. Slot the Irish Open around the time of the Scottish and you could have a 3-week run of links golf. Ideal preparation for the players, too.”

One spectator was even more critical, tweeting: “The Irish Open, once proud in stature, being contested at the K Club is demeaning to all of the honest, hardworking folk over there. The tournament organizers are very bad people. You would think they would be proud of their world-famous proper and stern links courses!”

Meanwhile, another pledged to make a formal complaint: “Going to start a petition for the Irish Open to only ever be played on links courses and to be the week before the Scottish Open.”

“Irish Open being played on a non-links course is utter woke nonsense,” Dan Rapaport joked during the third round.

When will the Irish Open return to The K Club?

Golf fans will be disappointed to read that the Irish Open has already penciled in a return to The K Club.

While the venue for the 2026 Irish Open has not yet been decided, the tournament will return to The K Club in 2027.

In 2024, the event was hosted by Royal County Down, which both McIlroy and Lowry named as their favorite golf course in Ireland.

It seems like fans would love the Irish Open to return there next year, or even the 2025 Open Championship venue, Royal Portrush.