Australian golf great Adam Scott confirmed on Wednesday morning that he will come home to do battle with fellow green jacket winner Rory McIlroy in the Australian Open at Royal Melbourne from December 4-7.
Before Scott locks horns with career grand slam winner McIlroy, he will return to his boyhood club of Royal Queensland for the Australian PGA Championship from November 27-30.
The 2013 Masters champion will then finish off his Australian summer by playing The Cathedral Invitation from December 9-10 alongside the likes of Marc Leishman and fellow Australian major winner Geoff Ogilvy and Ian Baker-Finch.
FOX SPORTS, available on Kayo Sports, is streaming The 2025 PGA Tour LIVE & Exclusive | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
Scott’s commitment is a huge boost for Australian golf after he opted to stay in his family home in Switzerland at the end of the last year instead of travelling south for the showpiece events on the Australian golf calendar.
Gruelling campaigns through the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoff and the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai, as well a record 11th Presidents Cup appearance, left the 45-year-old exhausted.
But this year he insists he is planning his schedule better to be fresh for a trip to home shores, and the return of the Australian Open to Royal Melbourne for the first time since 1991 proved to be a massive incentive.
“Obviously never really wanting to miss that opportunity, however, I kind of made a personal decision last year to not come down and play,” Scott said.
“But, excited to come home, play at my home club, Royal Queensland, in the (Australian) PGA and, of course, very exciting to see the Australian Open move to Royal Melbourne this year for the first time in my career.
“So, I’m glad I’m going to get that opportunity at long last.”
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 15: Adam Scott of Australia and the International team reacts during Sunday Singles matches on day four of the 2019 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Course on December 15, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Scott won the Australian Open at New South Wales Golf Club in 2009, but McIlroy denied him a second at Royal Sydney in 2013.
The pair went toe-to-toe down the stretch, and McIlroy claimed victory by a shot after he made birdie at the last hole as Scott made bogey.
The prospect of a return bout is not only appetising for Australian golf, but the presence of the Northern Irishman at the famed venue has also made a splash among the current PGA Tour players.
Scott, who holds sway as a player director, has been in the ear of several of his colleagues, and believes there may be more big name commitments to come.
“It made big headlines that Rory was coming down to play in Australia,” Scott said.
“That pushed Royal Melbourne out there even more and there are a fair few guys who played the Presidents Cup in ‘19 at Royal Melbourne, and it’s certainly gotten a lot of attention from the players – right through the ranks, from the top guys on down.
“Royal Melbourne has an incredible history and reputation that I think a lot of guys would like to experience.”
Rory McIlroy winner congratulates runner up Adam Scott at the 2013 Emirates Australian Open Golf Championship at Royal Sydney Golf Course. pic. Phil HillyardSource: News Corp Australia
He added: “There’s definitely been 100 times more interest in the Australian Open and the events in Australia this year than the last few years.”
“I only have good things to say, obviously. I’m completely biased,” Scott said with a chuckle as a talked about his discussions with fellow PGA Tour players.
“But it is hard, it is an awful time of year for them with Thanksgiving.
“I think if we can continue to offer events at great venues, the Sandbelt in particular, we’ll see more guys prioritise it in the future.”
The coming summer feels like the beginning of a new wave of momentum for Australian golf.
McIlroy is locked in to play next year’s Australian Open too at Kingston Heath, another iconic Melbourne Sandbelt venue which will also host the Presidents Cup in 2028.
The golf competition for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games will be played at Royal Queensland, and Scott believes such high profile tournaments could usher in a new era for the sport in his home country.
“I just generally feel like there’s a lot of good things happening golf-wise in Australia,” Scott said.
“A lot of things to look forward to. I feel the Aussie Open going to Royal Melbourne and Rory McIlroy coming down, there’s a lot of momentum to build off.
“The Presidents Cup in a few years is going to be huge. Another great venue on the Sandbelt. All these things, I feel like there’s a great opportunity maybe into the new glory years of Australian golf into the next decade.”
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 18: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Adam Scott of Australia on the 12th tee during the pro-am as a preview for the Hero Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club on January 17, 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Mateo Villalba/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
This year’s Australian Open will also be the first time the tournament is played as a stand-alone competition since 2019.
After back-to-back cancellations due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the men’s Australian Open was played in conjunction with the women’s and All Abilities events.
Cameron Smith was the most vocal critic among the players, but Scott had also expressed his displeasure with the format in the past.
He now believes the right move has been made to allow each tournament to stand on its own two feet again.
“I feel like it kind of dilutes each of the events, that was my take,” Scott said.
“I don’t think it boosted all of the events and that would be my biggest takeaway.
“There were some logistical problems from playing in it like there were too many people on the golf course and it was incredibly slow, and there were some issues with the draw.
“I feel like at the national championship level, again I hold the Australian Open in high regard, we don’t want that.
“I think it’s good that we’ve moved away from it.
“I think there’s an opportunity for each of these events to flourish on their own.”
Adam Scott of Australia kisses the Stonehaven trophy after winning the Australian Open golf tournament in Sydney on December 6, 2009. Scott broke through for his first victory at home with a five-shot win over compatriot Stuart Appleby. AFP PHOTO / Greg WOODSource: AFP
As for his own game, Scott showed he is still in good touch by playing in the final group in the final round of the US Open.
He fell away to a share of 12th with a disappointing last day, and he also came in the top 20 at the PGA Championship.
But he missed the cut at The Open earlier this month, after doing the same at The Masters for the first time since 2009.
His play on the PGA Tour has been patchy, sitting 85th in the FedEx Cup standings at present, but Scott believes he is close to notching another win.
“The Open was just disappointing. I played poorly on the Friday. I got out of sorts in the wind and couldn’t figure it out,” Scott said.
“There are a lot of things I think I would do differently.
“The US Open was also disappointing to leave without a result, and that’s kind of how my year’s been.
“All my good golf has not really been getting the result I wanted.
“To be in the mix with nine to go at the US Open, and to be in the mix with nine to go at the PGA Championship still gives me enough confidence that I’m doing enough of the right things.
“I just have to iron out a couple of things to get over the line.”
