Rory McIlroy has prompted a stir on the eve of the Australian Open by a sharing a controversial opinion about host course Royal Melbourne, whereas declaring his journey down underneath to be a part of a legacy constructing mission.
The Masters champion attracted crowds much like the event correct lately for his observe rounds and the pro-am, however he might have turned the golf gods towards him with an nearly sacrilegious declare in regards to the iconic venue which is internet hosting the Australian Open for the primary time since 1991.
“I don’t need the membership to take this badly, however it’s in all probability not one of the best course in Melbourne,” McIlroy informed reporters at Royal Melbourne on Wednesday.
“I feel, that’s my opinion, however it’s definitely within the high ten on the earth.”
Watch the 2025 Australian Open LIVE on Kayo Sports activities 4-7 Dec | New to Kayo? Be a part of now and get your first month for simply $1.
McIlroy requested to elaborate and say what’s the finest course in Melbourne, to which he replied: “Kingston Heath”.
These two phrases could be music to the ears of the members of the course which can host subsequent yr’s Australian Open and the Presidents Cup for the primary time in 2028 after Royal Melbourne staged all three earlier editions on these shores.
MORE AUSTRALIAN OPEN
RM FEATURE: The world is obsessive about this ‘particular’ Aussie treasure… which terrifies legends
‘I THINK ABOUT IT A LOT’: Legends re-live iconic duel as Rory opens up on Aussie ‘crossroads’ second
TEE TIMES: Rory joins Aussie superstars in blockbuster group as Aus Open tee instances revealed
‘Superb’ Rory glows for Royal Melbourne | 01:19
McIlroy was hesitant to utter his opinion, and could also be taking part in with fireplace.
Unfortunate breaks are a standard theme of the undulations of Sandbelt golf, and the course might chew again on Thursday.
Wind gusts of as much as 60km/h are set to wreak havoc with golf balls on the slopes that devour greens and fairways.
Making the change all of the tougher for McIlroy is that admits he nonetheless not snug navigating round Royal Melbourne.
“I’d watched it on TV, however I didn’t anticipate what number of blind tee pictures there have been going to be,” he mentioned.
“It’s definitely not simple.”
READ MORE
TEE TIMES: Rory joins Aussie superstars in blockbuster group as tee instances revealed
‘I THINK ABOUT IT A LOT’: Legends re-live iconic duel as Rory opens up on Aussie ‘crossroads’ second
FEATURE: 20 years in the past McIlroy first got here to Australia. What adopted was a ‘miracle’
‘Nonetheless must brush my enamel!’ | 02:12
In promising information for McIlroy, Min Woo Lee mentioned that Royal Melbourne has loads of similarities to Augusta as a result of “you don’t hit many easy pictures, it must be with creativeness”.
The Australian, who like McIlroy is likely one of the longest drivers of a golf ball on the earth, additionally warned towards attempting to bomb it off as each tee, saying “it can chew you within the butt, you’ll be able to’t overpower it”.
McIlroy has grow to be a customized to counting on totally different choices off the tee when travelling overseas.
In India earlier this yr, he left his driver out of the bag and followers mustn’t anticipate to see him hit too many drivers within the first two rounds at Royal Melbourne.
“It provides you choices. I feel if I knew the golf course higher or was extra snug on it, I’d be extra inclined to hit extra membership off the tee as a result of I’d be extra snug with my traces,” McIlroy mentioned.
“Immediately even, on the fifteenth gap for instance, I hit a 6-iron off the tee. It was simply the way in which that visually the outlet seems to be – hit it up the left and feeds all the way down to the correct, and hit a wedge in.
“Cam Smith was taking part in behind me and hit a driver and put it near the inexperienced.
“So, definitely other ways to play it.
“I’m gonna must attempt get the primary couple of rounds underneath me and determine it out as I’m going.
“Possibly then I can begin to play a bit extra aggressive on the weekend if I really feel just a little extra snug.”
READ MORE
COURSE PREVIEW: The world is obsessive about this ‘particular’ Aussie treasure. It ‘scares the daylights out of’ legends
CAM SMITH EXCLUSIVE: Why Rory rivalry might spark revival as Aussie opens up on most stunning battle
‘It has been the yr of my desires’ | 01:04
If he can wrap his head across the golf course, McIlroy is the favorite to prevail this week.
It could be his second Australian Open title, after he famously downed Adam Scott at Royal Sydney in 2013, however it could imply a complete lot greater than becoming a member of the likes of Jordan Spieth, Greg Norman (4 instances), Jack Nicklaus (six instances), Gary Participant (seven instances) and Peter Thomson (thrice) as a number of winners.
McIlroy is in a special section of his profession now.
With a profession grand slam to his title and greater than $250 million in prize cash earned, McIlroy has turned his consideration to a {golfing} bucket listing journey of desires.
“I’ve talked about attempting to win at a few of the most essential venues in golf,” he mentioned when requested about his targets going ahead.
“You recognize, this week is one in every of them. You concentrate on the tournaments and the people who have gained at Royal Melbourne and I extremely regarded it inside the golf world.
“I used to be fortunate sufficient to win at Pebble Seaside this yr for the primary time. Clearly, at Augusta.
“I’d like to win at St Andrews at some point.
“I’d like to win a US Open at Pebble Seaside.
“There’s just a few venues that imply a bit greater than a few of the others, and that’s one thing I’d like to do at some point.
“I need to win extra majors. I need to be a part of extra Ryder Cup groups.
“I’d say my information on both tour – whether or not or not it’s the DP World Tour or the PGA Tour – in all probability are which means rather less to me as time strikes on, and it’s actually simply specializing in the majors and being a part of that Ryder Cup group and attempting to construct on a legacy that I feel will final 50 years.”
McIlroy & Scott break down 2013 rivalry | 02:39
One other merchandise on McIlroy’s bucket listing was to attend a Check cricket match, saying he’s “a little bit of a sicko” for the longest format of the game whereas in India in October.
The second Ashes Check on the Gabba begins on Thursday in a scheduling conflict, however it did depart the door ajar for the Northern Irishman to make a fast sprint to Brisbane for day 5 on Monday – if the match lasts that longer.
McIlroy hosed down any likelihood of that taking place nonetheless, however he did throw his help by the Australians taking a 2-0 lead within the collection.
“No, no, I’ve to be again within the States on Monday however I’ll be following,”
“I do know the second Check begins tomorrow and Australia bought off to a fantastic begin. Hopefully, that continues.”