Latest news with #sandbelt
News.com.au
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Rory McIlroy says new golfing adventures could spark his return to form and that includes the Australian Open
Masters champion Rory McIlroy has spoken glowingly about the Australian Open ahead of his sandbelt comeback this year, revealing new explorations could be key to rediscovering his mojo amid a post-Augusta haze. Since slumping to his knees on the 18th hole, tears streaming from his face as he finally completed the career grand slam by collecting his maiden green jacket in April, McIlroy has failed to fire as a major champion should. The world No.2 has delivered just one top-10 finish in four events since the Masters, two of which were majors, ending up in a tie for 19th as the world's best players battled the course and the elements at Oakmont Country Club in last week's US Open. Plenty have suggested that by reaching his own personal Mount Everest in taking the coveted trophy at Augusta, McIlroy was left with no more golfing mountains to climb. The Ryder Cup in September looms large as Europe look to topple the USA on home soil but McIlroy, who took a break after the Masters and has been loathe to talk much about his future plans, slotted in a return to Australia for the Open at Royal Melbourne in December and pointed to it now being a key entry on his calendar. McIlroy said taking the opportunity to explore the world of golf, rather than be drilled down on PGA Tour ambitions, could provide him the joy he's looking for in a career that already sits alongside some of the best ever. 'I've always wanted to go to India, and the European Tour and DP World created a new event there,' he said ahead of the Travellers Championship, the last of eight PGA Tour Signature events for 2025. 'I was asked at the start of the year would I be interested in going, and I said 'yeah, that sounds amazing'. 'The Hero Indian Open is like March-April time. I'd love to play DLF (Golf and Country Club in India) and figure out my way around that place, but this one in Delhi in October made more sense.' McIlroy then turned his attention to his Australian visit and said memories of playing the Australian Open as an amateur two decades ago, then winning it in 2013, made him excited about his return where he'll be the headline act as the event returns to a stand-alone men's tournament. 'I've always loved the Australian Open,' he said. 'I've won there before. I played there as an amateur in the Australian Open, qualified for it, went through a qualifier in 2005, got through like a nine-man playoff to get in, so I've always had a huge affinity for that part of the world. 'So to go back, especially Royal Melbourne this year, Kingston Heath next year, two of the best golf courses in the world on the sandbelt, that's awesome too. 'It's that part of the year where we have the ability to travel and to do these things, and if it makes sense for the schedule – there's never been a green jacket in India before, so to bring the green jacket to India is something that's going to be really cool. 'To go back to the Australian Open, I won that in 2013. Adam (Scott) and I had a great battle down the stretch on the last day, he was the Masters champion at that point. 'I don't know, I like to travel. I like to play in different parts of the world. I haven't been to Australia in 10 years, so it's nice to go back to these places.'
Washington Post
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Rory McIlroy to play the Australian Open for the next 2 years on Melbourne's sandbelt
MELBOURNE, Australia — Masters champion Rory McIlroy is heading Down Under for the first time in more than a decade to play the Australian Open on Melbourne's famed sandbelt courses for the next two years. Golf Australia said Wednesday that McIlroy, who completed his career Grand Slam with his win at Augusta in April would play on the Royal Melbourne composite course from Dec. 4-7 and at nearby Kingston Heath in 2026.
Associated Press
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Rory McIlroy to play the Australian Open for the next 2 years on Melbourne's sandbelt
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Masters champion Rory McIlroy is heading Down Under for the first time in more than a decade to play the Australian Open on Melbourne's famed sandbelt courses for the next two years. Golf Australia said Wednesday that McIlroy, who completed his career Grand Slam with his win at Augusta in April would play on the Royal Melbourne composite course from Dec. 4-7 and at nearby Kingston Heath in 2026. Kingston Heath will host the Presidents Cup in 2028, the fourth time it has been played in Australia, with the previous three times at Royal Melbourne. McIlroy will attempt to win his second Stonehaven Cup. He won the Australian Open in 2013 at Royal Sydney and returned the following year when it was played at another Sydney course, The Australian, but hasn't played in Australia since. '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. 'The success of the Australian Open is important for the global game.' Royal Melbourne has hosted the Australian Open 17 times but not since 1991. First played in 1904, Gary Player has won the tournament seven times, Jack Nicklaus six and Greg Norman five times. Golf Australia decided earlier this year to move away from its previous combined event. The dates and venue of the Women's Australian Open will be confirmed at a later date. The men's Australian Open will follow the Australian PGA Championship (Nov. 27-30 at Royal Queensland in Brisbane), with both events again co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour. ___ AP golf:
