Rory McIlroy is going Down Under in December.
On Tuesday, McIlroy confirmed reports that he has agreed to headline the men’s Australian Open for the next two years on the Melbourne Sandbelt. The tournament, which counts Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and more recently Jordan Spieth and Adam Scott among its champions, is scheduled for Dec. 4-7 at Royal Melbourne and the following year at Kingston Heath. Both are ranked among the top courses in the world by Golfweek raters.
The last time the 35-year-old Northern Irishman played in the Australian Open was in 2014 when McIlroy defended the Stonehaven Cup the year after he went head-to-head with Scott in 2013 to eventually be crowned champion.
“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: The Royal Melbourne Golf Club and Kingston Heath Golf Club.”
Golf Australia CEO 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,” said Sutherland. “We are committed to elevating the status of our national championship, and this announcement is a significant step in that direction.”
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