By Nick Creely

Five-time major champion and career grand slam winner Rory Mcllroy will be the headline act of the men’s Australian Open for the next two years when it returns to the Melbourne Sandbelt in 2025 and 2026.

Royal Melbourne Golf Club (pictured right) and Kingston Heath Golf Club, two of Australia’s most iconic courses, will host the prestigious tournament, with a joint commitment from the Victorian Government and Visit Victoria. 

Mcllroy’s return to Australia comes off the back of his win at the 2025 Masters Tournament, with the world number two reaffirming his love for the Australian Open by committing to the next two years.

The 35-year-old last appeared at the Australian Open in 2014 when he defended the Stonehaven Cup the year after he went head-to-head with Adam Scott in 2013 to be crowned champion.

Royal Melbourne will host this year’s Australian Open from December 4-7 with Mcllroy praising the “world-class” Melbourne Sandbelt.

"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, 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 commitment from the Victorian Government and McIlroy will have reaching benefits.

“The Victorian Government truly understands the value that golf brings to the local economy.  We appreciate their ongoing support and we look forward to partnering with them again as we host this year’s men’s Australian Open,” Sutherland said.  ”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.  We are committed to elevating the status of our national championship, and this announcement is a significant step in that direction.” 

Royal Melbourne, one of the finest golf courses in the world, will host its first Australian Open since 1991 but seventeenth overall and has hosted multiple Presidents Cups. Royal Melbourne Golf Club captain Tony Rule said it was proud to host the iconic event again.

“Royal Melbourne has a long history of providing a supreme test of golf to the world’s best players. We eagerly await the opportunity to watch Rory McIlroy take on the challenge of mastering the Composite Course at Royal Melbourne,” he said.

PGA Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman said the move to a standalone event on the Melbourne Sandbelt, alongside Mcllroy’s commitment was a “proud” moment.

“At a course where so many historic tournaments have been played, The Royal Melbourne Golf Club is the perfect stage to showcase the wonderful home-grown talent and the best international golfers like Rory, who we are so proud to welcome back to Australia for the first time since 2014,” Kirkman said.  

Tickets for the men’s Australian Open are on sale from 9am (AEST) Wednesday May 14 at www.ticketek.com.au  

Images: Courtesy of Golf Australia