McIlroy-mania comes to Melbourne: Aus Open guide

• Date: 4–7 December 2025
• Venue: The Royal Melbourne Golf Club – Composite Course
• Address: 88 Cheltenham Rd, Black Rock VIC 3193
• Prize money: Minimum AUD$2,000,000
• Format: 156 players; cut after 36 holes

Rory McIlroy, Cam Smith and Adam Scott headline the names that will descend on The Royal Melbourne Golf Club this week for the 2025 edition of the Australian Open.

McIlroy-mania is sweeping Melbourne with the 2025 Masters winner returning to the tournament for the first time since 2014.

This year’s edition of the Open is the first of two that the five-time Major winner has committed to playing.

"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," he said earlier this year.

"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."

Northern Irishman McIlroy famously claimed the Stonehaven Cup by beating Adam Scott at Royal Sydney in 2013.

Also heading to the Open is Marc Leishman who predicts he is in “the form of his life”.

In a rare change to the qualifying criteria for Augusta, the winner at Royal Melbourne will also claim automatic entry for the 2026 Masters.

"It's a little frustrating, but the signs are really good for next week," said Leishman.

"I'm playing some of the best golf I've ever played.

"Driving it good, irons are good, putter feels great. Hopefully, I can make a few putts next week.

"I know where my misses are going to go, wedges have been really good, course management's been really good."

Tee off for the 2025 Australian Open at Royal Melbourne is on Thursday, December 4.

What you need to know:

Homegrown talent: Adam Scott, Min Woo Lee, Cam Davis, Lucas Herbert and Cam Smith

What do they win?

About $2 million is on offer plus a spot at the 2026 Masters

Is Rory favourite?

Currently yes, $4 with TAB

Previous winners:

2024 - Ryggs Johnston
2023 - Joaquin Niemann
2022 - Adrian Meronk
2021 - Not played
2020 - Not played
2019 - Matt Jones
2018 - Abraham Ancer
2017 - Cam Davis
2016 - Jordan Spieth
2015 - Matt Jones
2014 - Jordan Spieth
2013 - Rory McIlroy
2012 - Peter Senior
2011 - Greg Chalmers
2010 - Geoff Ogilvy