Rory McIlroy is relishing his return to the Australian Open, saying the country is “starved” of top-level golf.
McIlroy leads at Royal Melbourne in the 108th edition of the tournament as Golf Australia decides to end its two-pole tournament introduced three years ago and return to its traditional format.
The DP World Tour is now co-located with the Australian Open, with McIlroy chasing his first Down Under win in 12 years and second Stonehaven Cup.
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Matt Fitzpatrick won the DP World Tour Championship after defeating Rory McIlroy in a playoff.
McIlroy won the Australian Open in 2013 after beating Adam Scott in a playoff at Royal Sydney and has been open about his desire to return and bring “top-level” golf more consistently to Australia.
“It was no secret that I wanted to come back … (and) the change in format, going back to the traditional Australian Open probably helped,” he said.
“I feel like this country is starved for top-level golf. Obviously you’ve had Presidents Cups down here and you’ve had a lot of good players that still come through, but maybe just not on a consistent basis.”
“And I think a market like this, with the amazing fans and the history that it has, probably deserves more consistency of big players and big tournaments.”
Australia’s big winners Cam Smith and Scott will be hoping an Australian wins the Stonehaven Cup for the first time since 2019 when it was picked up by Matt Jones.
Scott won the title before, back in 2009, but he sees the chance to win it again in 2025 as “meaningful” because it is played in Royal Melbourne.
“I think winning the Aussie Open at Royal Melbourne has one of those stars next to it, where it’s just a little bit more meaningful,” he said.
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