He wasn’t exaggerating.
McIlroy, whose pre-tournament press conference included comments that Royal Melbourne was not the best sand track in the city, had a wild round of six bogeys and five birdies around the composite course and shot a 1-over 72 to trail the leaders by seven strokes after the first round.
An example of the famous Sandbelt course, home to three Presidents Cup tournaments, biting back? The swirling winds – including gusts of up to 60 kilometers per hour (38 mph) – certainly played a role.
“It was a rollercoaster day,” McIlroy said. “Every time I got a birdie or two, I got a bogey or two. It wasn’t terrible. I hit it in a few bad spots and had a few three-putts as well. I limited the damage. I hope the conditions are better tomorrow.”
For the record, the course McIlroy said was the best in Melbourne – near Kingston Heath – will host the Presidents Cup team event in 2028.
McIlroy, the Race to Dubai winner, is making his first appearance at the Australian Open since 2015 – he won it in 2013. He started his round on the back nine with a birdie on the 10th hole, followed by two bogeys.
That was just the beginning of his chaotic round.
His sixth bogey of the day came on the 135 meters (148 yard) par-3 seventh hole, his 16th, but at least he was in good company. His playing partners – Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee – also had 4s.
Scott and Lee each shot 69 to trail by four strokes. The trio left at 7am and was followed by thousands of fans.
“It was amazing, I couldn’t believe how many people were there,” McIlroy said of his early morning entourage. “There are golf events that mean something more. I think people in Australia are so proud of this event.”
Scott felt the same.
Rory McIlroy talks about his ‘rollercoaster’ opening round at the Crown Australian Open, discussing the windy conditions and more.
“I mean, playing with Rory and Min and fighting to get to the 10th tee with the crowd this morning was a lot of fun,” Scott said. “But the course held up well, even in the most challenging wind I’ve probably ever played here. A testament to the course and it’s great for the tournament.”
Elvis Smylie, the left-handed Australian who won the Australian PGA tournament last year, New Zealander Ryan Fox and Carlos Ortiz of Mexico, who scored his penultimate hole, the 17th, with a two-stroke lead after the first round of 65s.
Trying to avoid missing his eighth straight cut, Cameron Smith bogeyed two of his last three holes and had a 70.
“I feel like I did a pretty good job today…made all the putts I should have made and I probably left a few, but it is what it is,” Smith said.
Smylie took advantage of an accidental bounce when he hit a spectator.
Playing the par-four 1st hole (his 10th), Smylie’s wayward shot over the green hit a spectator before rolling back into position so he could make birdie.
“The wind was blowing from the left and I just didn’t cut him enough and I think it hit his foot,” Smylie said. “I don’t think it hit him hard, luckily, and then it ricocheted to about five feet and I was able to roll it in.
“So I guess when things like that happen, you just know the golf gods are on your side this day.”
David Puig, who won the Australian PGA at Royal Queensland in Brisbane last week, shot 74.
The winner of the Australian Open, the second event on the European tour’s new tournament schedule for the end of this year and 2026, will receive a Masters exemption next year. And the top three finishers not yet exempt will qualify for the 2026 British Open at Royal Birkdale.
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