{"id":326829,"date":"2025-12-04T08:57:18","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T08:57:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/326829\/"},"modified":"2025-12-04T08:57:18","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T08:57:18","slug":"rory-mcilroy-suffers-roller-coaster-first-round-at-australian-open-as-he-shoots-one-over-72-golf-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/326829\/","title":{"rendered":"Rory McIlroy suffers ‘roller coaster’ first round at Australian Open as he shoots one-over 72 | Golf News"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rory McIlroy had a self-described “roller coaster” of a round at Royal Melbourne on the first day of the Australian Open.<\/p>\n

McIlroy, whose pre-tournament news conference included comments that Royal Melbourne was not the best Sandbelt course in the city, had a wild round of six bogeys and five birdies around the composite course and shot a one-over 72.<\/p>\n

Was it a case of the famed Sandbelt course, which has hosted three Presidents Cups, biting back? The swirling winds – including gusts of up to 60kph (38 mph) – were certainly a factor.<\/p>\n

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Take a look back at how Rory McIlroy won the Stonehaven Cup with a thrilling victory in 2013 <\/p>\n

“It was a roller coaster day,” McIlroy said. “Every time I got a birdie or two, I got a bogey or two.<\/p>\n

“It wasn’t terrible. I hit it in a couple of bad spots and had a couple of three-putts as well.<\/p>\n

“I limited the damage but I hope the conditions are better tomorrow.”<\/p>\n

McIlroy, the Race to Dubai winner, is making his first appearance at the Australian Open since 2015, and also won the tournament in 2013.<\/p>\n

He started his round on the back nine with a birdie on the 10th, followed by two bogeys – and that was just the start of his topsy-turvy round.<\/p>\n

\"Rory<\/p>\n

Image:
\n Rory McIlroy had not played at the Australian Open since 2015 (AP Photo\/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)<\/p>\n

His sixth bogey of the day came at the 135-meter (148-yard) par-three seventh – his 16th – but at least he was in good company as his playing partners, Australians Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee, also had fours.<\/p>\n

The trio teed off at 7am, with thousands of fans following them around the course. Scott and Lee each shot two-under 69s.<\/p>\n

“It was amazing, I couldn’t believe how many people were there,” McIlroy said of his early-morning entourage.<\/p>\n

“There are events in golf that mean a little bit more. I think people in Australia take so much pride in this event.”<\/p>\n

Scott reiterated a similar feeling, saying: “Playing with Rory and Min, and fighting to get to the 10th tee this morning with the crowds was good fun,” Scott said.<\/p>\n

“But the course held up well, even in some of the most challenging wind I’ve probably ever played out here.<\/p>\n

“Testament to the course and it’s great for the tournament.”<\/p>\n

\"Adam<\/p>\n

Image:
\n Adam Scott of Australia and Min Woo Lee shot 69 (AP Photo\/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)<\/p>\n

Australia’s Cameron Smith, trying to avoid missing his eighth consecutive cut, bogeyed two of his final three holes for a one-under 70.<\/p>\n

“I feel like I did pretty good today, made all the putts I was supposed to make and I probably left a couple out there, but it is what it is,” Smith said.<\/p>\n

Elvis Smylie, the left-handed Australian who won last year’s Australian PGA tournament, was the early clubhouse leader with a 65.<\/p>\n

Playing on the par-four first – his 10th – Smylie’s wayward shot over the green hit a spectator before rolling back into position for him to make birdie.<\/p>\n

\"Elvis<\/p>\n

Image:
\n Elvis Smylie hit a spectator’s foot on his way to making a birdie (AP Photo\/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)<\/p>\n

“The wind was whipping off the left and I just kind of didn’t cut it up enough and I think it hit his foot,” said Smylie.<\/p>\n

“I don’t think it hit him hard fortunately, and then it ricocheted to about five foot and I was able to roll that in.<\/p>\n

“So when things like that happen, you just know that the golf gods are on your side for the day.”<\/p>\n

The winner of the Australian Open, which is the second event on the European tour’s new schedule of tournaments for 2026, receives a Masters exemption next year, while the top three finishers not already exempt will qualify for the British Open in 2026 at Royal Birkdale.<\/p>\n

\"Golf<\/p>\n

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