Rory McIlroy has opened up on the role his Australian Open victory played in turning his career around, admitting he was at a “crossroads” before winning the Stonehaven Cup in 2013.
McIlroy will return Down Under in December for the 2026 Australian Open at Kingston Heath, looking to win the tournament for a second time.
The six-time major champion made his first appearance at the Australian Open as a 16-year-old amateur in 2005, before returning eight years later and winning at Royal Sydney.
That victory came at an important time for McIlroy.
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After struggling throughout 2013, the Northern Irishman came to Australia without a win for the year before getting the better of Adam Scott to claim the Stonehaven Cup.
He then went on to win two majors in 2014 and returned to world No.1.
Rory McIlroy has revealed he was at a career “crossroads” before his memorable Australian Open victory in 2013.Source: AAP
And McIlroy believes things could have looked very different without that week in Australia.
“The Stonehaven Cup was one of the most meaningful trophies that I have,” McIlroy told Golf Australia.
“I was at a bit of a crossroads in my career.
“I had a really tough 2013 and I’ve always said I wouldn’t have had the 2014 I had with winning two majors and getting to number one in the world if I didn’t have the week in Australia that I had at the end of 2013.
“So it’s always been a meaningful week for me.”
More than a decade on, McIlroy is hoping to win it again.
“I’d love to put my name on that trophy again,” he said.
“I played, I qualified for it as a 16-year-old amateur back in 2005 down in the Mornington Peninsula.
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“So I’ve had a big affinity for that golf tournament for a long time.”
McIlroy returned to the Australian Open last year, playing in front of massive crowds at Royal Melbourne as fans watched one of the biggest names in world golf.
This year’s tournament will be played at Kingston Heath from December 3-6, with McIlroy joined by Adam Scott, Cameron Smith, Lucas Herbert, Elvis Smylie and Geoff Ogilvy.
And McIlroy is looking forward to getting another chance to play a course he rates extremely highly.
“I think it’s such an amazing design,” McIlroy said.
“It’s maybe a touch short for modern standards, but you have to be so strategic in how you play it and it’s a wonderful golf course.
“I really have an appreciation for golf courses that maybe don’t have the best piece of land and they have to come up with unique designs to really make it interesting.”
AUSSIE OPEN’S BIG OPPORTUNITY
McIlroy also believes there is a real opportunity for the Australian Open to attract more of the world’s best players in the coming years.
Golf Australia’s new partnership with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour will begin in 2027, while McIlroy pointed towards changes to the PGA Tour schedule as another chance for the tournament.
“I hope that more people make it Down Under and play,” he said.
“With what the PGA Tour are doing with their schedule from February through to August, there’s an opportunity there to get some of the biggest names in the world down to play the Australian Open.
“Obviously, that would be amazing for the tournament.”
McIlroy believes the history of the Australian Open shows exactly what the tournament can be.
McIlroy is a huge fan of Kingston Heath and the strategy required to take on the famous Melbourne Sandbelt course.Source: AAP
“You look at the winners of the Australian Open over the years and it really is a who’s who of the best players over the past 50 or 60 years,” he said.
“So it would be great if the Australian Open could get back to that level one day.”
Away from the golf, McIlroy is hoping to get a little more time to enjoy Melbourne after what was a quick trip last year.
“Everyone knows Melbourne is known for its coffee and its sport. I tried to sample a bit of both of that,” McIlroy said.
“I went and played at Melbourne Park in the indoor courts where the Australian Open is held so that was fun and I’d love to go do that again.
“But once the tournament starts, you’re sort of into business and you’re concentrating on that and trying to win the tournament.”