Rory McIlroy says Royal Melbourne Golf Club isn’t the best course in Melbourne ahead of 2025 Australian Open
Although they did not want to comment publicly, Royal Melbourne officials were not impressed by the comments as of Wednesday afternoon.
The Allan government has also been contacted for comment.
McIlroy, who had not been to Royal Melbourne before Monday, said he was surprised by some elements of the design.
McIlroy spent much of Monday touring some of Melbourne’s other world-famous courses, including Kingston Heath, Commonwealth, Metropolitan and Victoria.
Kingston Heath will host next year’s Australian Open, where McIlroy has agreed to play.
“I didn’t realize there would be so many blind shots,” McIlroy said of Royal Melbourne.
“Yes, it takes some time to figure it out. It’s definitely not simple,” he said.
McIlroy is arguably the greatest batsman the game has ever seen, which often gives him a significant advantage off the tee, but Royal Melbourne’s mixed track is not known to be long.
This means the last US Masters winner will have to devote more time to club selection.
“I mean…it definitely gives you options, and if I knew the golf course better and was more comfortable there, I probably would be more inclined to hit more clubs off the tee because I would be more comfortable with my mind.
“But today, even on the 15th hole, for example, I had a six iron ripped off my tee because visually the hole looks like you hit it to the left and it kind of feeds to the right and then you hit a wedge.
“But Cam Smith was playing behind me and he’s a close-to-the-field driver, so yeah, [there are] There are definitely different ways to play, but I’ll just have to try to get through the first few rounds and figure it out as I go along.
“Maybe then if I feel a little more comfortable I can start playing a little more aggressively on the weekend.”
McIlroy will compete with Australians Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee at 7:05 a.m. on Thursday.
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