logo
Rory is getting millions to play in Australia. This is why it's worth it

Rory is getting millions to play in Australia. This is why it's worth it

Portrush, Northern Ireland: The boss of golf's European Tour has likened Rory McIlroy's upcoming visit to play the Australian Open to when Tiger Woods flew Down Under to play in Australia's marquee events more than a decade ago.
Woods won the Australian Masters in 2009 at Kingston Heath – where his scorecard remains mounted on the clubhouse wall – then returned a year later but was unable to hunt down Stuart Appleby at Victoria Golf Club.
McIlroy, now 36, has not played at the Open since 2014 when he was unable to defend the title he'd won in 2013 by outlasting Adam Scott. Eleven years on, he returns as a five-time major winner, and is being paid upwards of $3 million by the Victorian government, according to two industry sources who wouldn't comment publicly because of the confidential nature of the contract.
McIlroy finished the British Open at Portrush on Sunday tied for seventh, incredibly his 33rd top-10 finish at a major.
European Tour and Ryder Cup CEO Guy Kinnings – a long-time player manager – will be present when McIlroy tees off at Royal Melbourne's globally renowned composite course in the first week of December.
'I remember being there when Tiger came down … and Rory; we've been incredibly lucky. I've lived through an era when we had the biggest athlete on the planet in Tiger, and he transformed the game completely for everyone. I always go, 'everyone should go and shake him by the hand'. He changed the game completely.
'What Rory has done … and can do, for international golf is massive ... he has that same sort of appeal. People get very excited about Rory also. The great thing about Rory is he's his own man, and he's shown that he's going where he wants to go.'
Australian superstars Cameron Smith, Adam Scott, Marc Leishman, Lucas Herbert and Elvis Smylie are all expected to play the Open alongside McIlroy, with announcements expected in the near future.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Bullock set for successful day at Muswellbrook
Bullock set for successful day at Muswellbrook

The Age

time8 hours ago

  • The Age

Bullock set for successful day at Muswellbrook

Jockey Aaron Bullock looks set for a big day at Muswellbrook on Sunday with a number of leading contenders set to go around. Bullock has a full book of rides at Muswellbrook, and he can kick of the day with a winner. He starts the day riding Snap Decision for trainer Cody Morgan in the opening event of the day, the County Boosted Maiden Handicap (1280m). He has a number of other leading contenders at the meeting, led by Salvato for Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich in the Muswellbrook Motors 2YO Maiden Handicap (1000m). Cavorting is the ride in the third event for Bullock for trainer Michael Lunn. The former Victorian is set to run well at his first start since joining a new stable. Bullock will be aboard Tough Guy for trainer Melissa Dennett in the Acorp Country Boosted Class 1 Handicap (1000m). The Lyndall Olson-trained Zaru is Bullock's mount in race five at Muswellbrook, on the back of a last start solid placing at Grafton. Bullock will finish off the day with two gun run rides for Messara and Gavranich when Dale and Peninsula contest the last two events of the day. Dale, part owned by Hollywood actor Matt Damon, will line up in the Scone Rural Supplies Benchmark 66 Handicap (1500m).

Bullock set for successful day at Muswellbrook
Bullock set for successful day at Muswellbrook

Sydney Morning Herald

time8 hours ago

  • Sydney Morning Herald

Bullock set for successful day at Muswellbrook

Jockey Aaron Bullock looks set for a big day at Muswellbrook on Sunday with a number of leading contenders set to go around. Bullock has a full book of rides at Muswellbrook, and he can kick of the day with a winner. He starts the day riding Snap Decision for trainer Cody Morgan in the opening event of the day, the County Boosted Maiden Handicap (1280m). He has a number of other leading contenders at the meeting, led by Salvato for Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich in the Muswellbrook Motors 2YO Maiden Handicap (1000m). Cavorting is the ride in the third event for Bullock for trainer Michael Lunn. The former Victorian is set to run well at his first start since joining a new stable. Bullock will be aboard Tough Guy for trainer Melissa Dennett in the Acorp Country Boosted Class 1 Handicap (1000m). The Lyndall Olson-trained Zaru is Bullock's mount in race five at Muswellbrook, on the back of a last start solid placing at Grafton. Bullock will finish off the day with two gun run rides for Messara and Gavranich when Dale and Peninsula contest the last two events of the day. Dale, part owned by Hollywood actor Matt Damon, will line up in the Scone Rural Supplies Benchmark 66 Handicap (1500m).

Ryan Daniels: Inside Harley Reid's contract talks and the multi-million dollar offers on the table
Ryan Daniels: Inside Harley Reid's contract talks and the multi-million dollar offers on the table

West Australian

timea day ago

  • West Australian

Ryan Daniels: Inside Harley Reid's contract talks and the multi-million dollar offers on the table

It wasn't quite high-powered Wall Street execs in Armani suits, marching in to close a billion-dollar deal — but the stakes, in a footy sense, were just as high. Harley's Melbourne-based manager Nick Geischen rolled into town, and while he didn't utter the words 'Show Me the Money', he didn't need to. The phrase was emanating from his $24 million smile. It's been a hectic week in Harley-world, with a somewhat surprising shift in the situation. Earlier this year, the Eagles put forward multiple contract options to Harley's team. Three, five, seven-year deals — a pick-your-own-adventure approach. Nothing came of it. which had people thinking — he's gone. Even before the Eagles drafted him, there was talk Harley would bail. That the Eagles would be better off trading the pick. Victorian journalist Sam McLure now famously declared 'they won't pick him, Mitch (Cleary)' — suggesting West Coast would be better off passing on one of the most prodigious talents the draft has seen in years — just to avoid the inevitable messy exit. It's always been perceived as a matter of when Harley will leave, not if . Then, the twist. Geischen had come bearing gifts — a proposal for West Coast. An 11-year deal. $2.2 million per year, on average. $24 million all up. The largest deal in AFL history. More money per year than Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins. Unprecedented numbers across the board. While it sounds like monopoly money, in 11 years, $2.2 million won't be as crazy as it sounds right now. By then, Harley will be 32 and potentially edging out of his prime — but with the growth of the AFL's salary cap, he might end up a bargain at some stage. Remember, back in 1994 Alastair Lynch signed a ten-year deal for $1 million — at $100,000 per season, people lost their minds at the money. By the time Lynch retired, he was woefully underpaid. As part of this proposed deal, Harley would have the option to leave after two years. If not, he'd be here until the end of 2037. Let that sink in. In 2037 we might actually have flying cars and robot slaves. Or we'll be slaves to the robots. I'll be 54 years old. Bring me a pair of warm slippers, a glass of prune juice, and cap it off with a few episodes of Murder She Wrote. Maybe my idea of what it's like to be 54 is a little dated — but you get the point — 2037 is an eternity away. Harley's people bringing this to the table signals his intention to stay — if terms can be agreed. So, what's changed? Nothing, really. All along we've heard Harley, the Eagles, even his management declare the young midfielder was taking his time, happy in Perth. In recent weeks Reid's form has elevated, he's exhibiting an edge, leadership around the club. He's forming strong bonds with teammates. My understanding is he's told Andrew McQualter he wants to stay. At 20, he's living on his own, cooking, cleaning, he's got a dog. He's handling the media/fan pressure superbly. Some 20-year-olds can barely remember to flush the toilet. This kid is settled. Credit to the Eagles for an environment where a country kid from the other side of Australia feels comfortable, happy. Saying that, nothing is guaranteed here. The new proposal isn't quite a gun to the head, an ultimatum — but it's not miles off it. This is how keeping Harley Reid looks. If that's too rich, there will be other suitors. It's a fairly simple situation — other than the overwhelming commitment. That's the holdup, if there is one. No one saw this coming. Not even the Eagles. The deal, or at least the sheer enormity of it, has blindsided West Coast. They've taken a pause. In the month following the contract proposal landing in their inbox, there's been no response. Some meals take a lot longer to digest, and this is like going to a steak joint and being served an entire cow. Don't panic Eagles fans, they know what they have in Harley. They love him. If they believe they've found the sun which all other planets can rotate around, that he could be their Dustin Martin, their Patrick Dangerfield, then they need to do it. Maybe it's a slight variation of this proposed deal, a happy compromise, but they can't get too cute here. Harley could be the AFL's best player within a few years. Yes, a deal that long, with that kind of financial commitment comes with risk. In my opinion, it's a risk worth taking. This kid is special. He wants to be here and he's box office. After a disastrous four years at the West Coast Eagles, the signature of Harley Reid would be a significant victory and a sign that things might finally be turning around. Years of endless chat about a move back to Victoria for Harley, now the Eagles have a chance to keep their man. They just need to sign on the dotted line.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store