Rory McIlroy given exciting group to play alongside for the first two days at the Australian Open

Rory McIlroy returns to action this week as he headlines the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Royal Melbourne Golf Club plays host to the Australian Open, which follows the Australian PGA Championship in the schedule.

David Puig triumphed at the Australian PGA Championship in Queensland last week, and is once again in the field in Melbourne.

But also taking part is five-time major champion McIlroy, who completed the career Grand Slam at The Masters earlier this year.

He also helped Europe beat the USA at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, while McIlroy won the Race to Dubai title on the DP World Tour too.

Rory McIlroy celebrates his winning putt at the 2025 Masters — Photo by Simon Bruty/Augusta National/Getty Images

Rory McIlroy paired with Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee at the Australian Open

McIlroy will undoubtedly attract huge attention in Australia this week, and the Northern Irishman has been given a very exciting grouping for the first two rounds of the event.

He’ll be joined on the course early on by Australian stars Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee on Thursday and Friday.

Who do you think will win the Australian Open?

“If you had told me that was gonna happen this morning when I was warming up, I would have told you otherwise.“I don’t know. I just don’t know. I’m so confused.”
Cam Smith on his missed cut at the Australian PGA

From Adelaide, Scott won The Masters in 2013, while Perth favorite Lee claimed his maiden PGA Tour win at this year’s Texas Children’s Houston Open.

And they go into the Australian Open in fine form, having finished seventh and T5 respectively at the Australian PGA Championship.

Viktor Hovland, Laurie Canter and Will Zalatoris among star names in South Africa this week

While many eyes will be on that star-studded trio, there are a handful of other exciting pairings that have been confirmed.

Former major champions Cam Smith and Danny Willett are joined by Elvis Smylie, while LIV Golf star Joaquinn Niemann is joined by Si Woo Kim and Ryan Fox.

Also taking place this week is the Nedbank Golf Challenge in honour of Gary Player, which also boasts an exciting field.

Do you think Scottie Scheffler should play more outside of the United States?

“I haven’t really played too much golf internationally. I always come over here and try to play this tournament and The Open Championship. I haven’t played in Asia or Australia yet as a professional.

“With the way our schedule is on the [PGA Tour], the thing that’s most important to me is my time at home. It would be wonderful to be able to play an international schedule, but right now we play most of our tournaments in the States and I come over here for these few weeks.

“The off-season for us is typically where guys will go play in Asia and Australia or start the year in Dubai. For me, it’s important to get time at home because that’s my priority and playing tournaments that I can.”
Scheffler’s response when asked why he doesn’t play more internationally

“I want to play golf when I want to play golf. I want to play in the locations that I love to go to, and I want to play the majors and the Ryder Cup. That’s it.
“I think there’s an opportunity for it to be worldwide. Golf isn’t just played in America. It didn’t start in America… I think there’s an opportunity to have some of the bigger tournaments outside of America.”
Rory McIlroy on why he wants to play more of an international schedule

Taking on the tournament at Gary Player CC in Sun City, South Africa are the likes of Viktor Hovland, Will Zalatoris and Tom McKibbin.

Laurie Canter has just joined LIV Golf, but he’s also focusing on the tournament, alongside fellow English talent Marco Penge.

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Opinion

Rory McIlroy given exciting group to play alongside for the first two days at the Australian Open

Rory McIlroy paired with Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee at the Australian Open

Who do you think will win the Australian Open?

Viktor Hovland, Laurie Canter and Will Zalatoris among star names in South Africa this week

Do you think Scottie Scheffler should play more outside of the United States?