Source : ABC NEWS
Masters champion Rory McIlroy will headline the men’s Australian Open in 2025 and 2026, with the tournament to be played in Melbourne for the next two years.
Royal Melbourne on the Melbourne Sandbelt will host the tournament from December 4–7 this year, while nearby Kingston Heath will be the home of the Open in 2026.
McIlroy’s return to Australia comes off the back of his historic win at the 2025 Masters Tournament to complete the career grand slam with his fifth major win.
The last time the 35-year-old appeared at the Australian Open was in 2014, when McIlroy finished 15th, 15 shots off a blistering 21-year-old Jordan Spieth.
The year prior, McIlroy had won the Stonehaven Cup for his only victory of the year after going head-to-head with that year’s Masters winner, Adam Scott.
“I’m proud to be committing to the Australian Open for the next two years, especially with it being played on the world-class Melbourne Sandbelt, somewhere I’ve always wanted to play professionally,” McIlroy said in a statement.
“The success of the Australian Open is important for the global game, and I’m incredibly confident it will thrive again this year, especially with it being staged in one of the world’s great sporting cities and on two of the finest golf courses in the world over the next two years.”
Golf Australia chief executive James Sutherland said the appearance of the Northern Irishman would help elevate the status of the tournament.
“Rory McIlroy, one of the best to ever play our game, playing on the world-renowned Melbourne Sandbelt, is a mouth-watering proposition for golf fans,” Sutherland said.
“We are committed to elevating the status of our national championship, and this announcement is a significant step in that direction.”
The Australian Open is moving away from its previous combined event, with the dates and venue of the women’s Australian Open and Australian All Abilities Championship to be confirmed at a later date.
“We are confident that the revised format, with individual men’s, women’s and all-abilities events, will give each event their own platform to showcase the incredible talent in golf,” Sutherland said.
The announcement came on the eve of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, where McIlroy is grouped with defending champion Xander Schauffele and 2024 Masters winner Scottie Scheffler.
AAP
