Rory McIlroy has not played at the Australian Open for more than a decade, but the five-time major champion could make his comeback later this year in a big boost for golf down under
Rory McIlroy could return to a famous tournament he won 12 years ago(Image: Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy is set to return to the Australian Open for the first time in more than a decade after the Masters champion admitted he wants to spend more time away from the PGA Tour.
McIlroy, who won the Australian Open at Royal Sydney in 2013, has not played in the tournament since 2014. But the Northern Irishman has made his fondness for the event clear, sharing his hopes for it to be restored to its former standing.
The world’s best players would annually jet down under for the tournament that was often dubbed “the fifth major” in its heyday, with Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Greg Norman among the names engraved on the Stonehaven Cup. As the Australian Open’s prestige has waned, LIV Golf has taken advantage by hosting a hugely popular tournament in Adelaide.
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The $1.1 million purse on offer at the PGA Tour of Australasia-sanctioned event is significantly less than even the smallest PGA Tour tournaments, where $4 million is usually up for grabs.
But McIlroy has made clear that money is not his top priority at this stage of his career, skipping two $20 million signature events on the PGA Tour this year. And according to former Aussie pro Mark Allen, the 36-year-old is trending towards being in the field in Australia later this year.
“As we speak here right now, it’s going to happen,” Allen told the ‘Talk Birdie To Me’ Podcast. “But we all know in the sporting world that things can change.”
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McIlroy won the Australian Open in 2013(Image: Matt King/Getty Images)
McIlroy told Golf Digest in 2023 that he hoped the Australian Open would become a crucial part of a more global PGA Tour. He said: “The Australian Open, for example, should almost be the fifth major. The market down there is huge with potential. They love golf. They love sport.
“They have been starved of top-level golf. And the courses are so good. Revenues at the PGA Tour right now are about $2.3 billion. So how do we get that number up to $4 billion or $6 billion? It is by looking outward. They need to think internationally and spread their wings a bit.
“My dream scenario is a world tour, with the proviso that corporate America has to remain a big part of it all. But there is an untapped commercial opportunity out there.”
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A date and venue are yet to be confirmed for the tournament, which is typically held in late November or early December. Royal Melbourne, widely recognized as one of the world’s very best courses, is speculated to be the frontrunner to host the event.
The previous three editions of the event have seen the men’s and women’s tournaments hosted on the same course at the same time, but it will revert to the traditional standalone format this year.
“Golf Australia continues to work through the future of the men’s and women’s Australian Opens, with nothing formal to confirm at this point in time,” a spokesman said. “We look forward to working with our partners to confirm and announce the future of both events in the coming weeks.”
