Rory McIlroy Opens Up Ahead of Australian Open Return: Praise, Perspective, and a Shot at History
Rory McIlroy has never been one to sugarcoat his thoughts, and on the eve of the Australian Open, the five-time major champion delivered a few honest takes that raised eyebrows - even among those who’ve followed his career closely.
Set to compete at the iconic Royal Melbourne for the first time since it was announced as host, McIlroy offered a candid assessment of the course - one that might surprise traditionalists but comes with the kind of nuance you’d expect from a player who’s seen the best layouts the game has to offer.
“I don’t want the membership to take this badly, but it’s probably not the best course in Melbourne,” McIlroy said. “I think that’s my opinion, but it’s certainly in the top 10 in the world.”
That’s not exactly a knock - being among the top 10 courses globally is elite company - but McIlroy didn’t hesitate when asked what he believes is Melbourne’s finest.
“Kingston Heath,” he said, referencing the Sandbelt gem where he’s already committed to play next year’s Australian Open.
McIlroy’s comments weren’t meant to diminish Royal Melbourne’s stature, but rather to reflect the complexity and uniqueness of the course - especially under certain conditions. The Composite Course, which hasn’t hosted the Australian Open since 1991, is known for its strategic design and firm, fast conditions that reward imagination and precision.
“I didn’t anticipate how many blind tee shots there were going to be,” McIlroy noted. “It’s a course that takes a little bit of time to figure out and is certainly not straightforward.”
Wind will be a factor this week, and McIlroy was quick to point out how much the direction can influence how the course plays.
“It probably plays better in a southerly wind rather than a northerly wind. Some of the shorter holes are downwind, and it plays a little funky. But if you get the southerly wind and it gets back into the wind, then they play like really good.”
Translation: Royal Melbourne reveals its full character when the wind cooperates. And while the setup may feel a bit awkward in certain conditions, McIlroy isn’t questioning the quality of the design - just acknowledging that it's a puzzle best solved with time and experience.
Still, McIlroy is clearly excited to compete this week. His history with Australian golf runs deep, going all the way back to his teenage years. He first played Down Under as a 16-year-old amateur in 2005, showing up to the Australian Masters at Huntingdale with a game full of promise and, as he put it, a little extra baby fat.
“I was a little bit chubby and pudgy,” he joked.
That early trip included a missed cut at the Australian Open at Moonah Links and a 49th-place finish at the Masters. But fast forward to 2013, and McIlroy returned to Australia with something to prove - and delivered.
That year, he edged out local favorite Adam Scott at Royal Sydney to win the Stonehaven Cup. It wasn’t just another trophy - for McIlroy, it marked a turning point.
“I think about that tournament a lot and about what it meant,” he reflected. “I felt at that point in my career I was at a bit of a crossroads.
I had had the worst season of my professional career in 2013. I changed equipment, I really struggled to make the switch.”
“I just had an awful year, didn’t have a win, didn’t play well. I played with Adam Scott all four days … and I ended up beating him on the 72nd green.”
That win, McIlroy says, helped reset his career trajectory. The following year, he captured two majors and re-established himself as one of the game’s elite.
“Of all the trophies that I have at home, the Australian Open trophy is meaningful because I felt like it got me back on track.”
Now, he’s back in Melbourne, grouped once again with Adam Scott and rising Aussie star Min Woo Lee. They’ll tee off Thursday morning from the 10th, setting the stage for a tournament that carries more weight than usual - even with Tiger Woods’ Hero World Challenge happening at the same time.
McIlroy’s presence brings star power, but it’s also a nod to his appreciation for Australian golf and its place in his journey.
“Australia has been a very big part of my golfing life and my golfing journey, going all the way back to playing the Australian Open as an amateur back in 2005 and 2006.”
He praised the passion of Australian fans and the depth of talent the country continues to produce. And while LIV Golf’s Adelaide event has drawn big crowds, McIlroy believes there’s room - and a real need - for more high-level events in Australia.
“It just feels like this country is starved of top-level golf,” he said. “A market like this with amazing fans and the history that it does have probably deserves more of a consistency of big players and big tournaments.”
As for the Australian Open itself, McIlroy believes it should be elevated - not squeezed into the calendar as an afterthought.
“This tournament, in particular, because of the history, because of the tradition, deserves to be a standalone tournament, a week on its own.”
When McIlroy speaks about his goals now, the focus is clear. It’s not about chasing wins for the sake of the stat sheet - it’s about legacy, about winning at the venues that define greatness.
“I was lucky enough to win at Pebble Beach this year for the first time and obviously at Augusta,” he said. “I’d love to win at St Andrews one day. I’d love to win a US Open at Pebble Beach.”
And while he still respects the week-to-week grind of the PGA and DP World Tours, it’s the majors - and Ryder Cups - that are driving him now.
“I want to win more majors. I want to be part of more Ryder Cup teams. I’d say my records on either tour … are probably meaning a little less to me as time moves on.”
“It’s really just focusing on the majors and being a part of that Ryder Cup team and trying to build on the legacy I’ve built over the last 15 years.”
McIlroy’s journey has taken him around the world and back, but this week in Melbourne, it’s about reconnecting with a place that helped shape that legacy - and maybe, just maybe, adding another chapter to it.