Golf superstar Rory McIlroy has touched down in Melbourne ahead of this week’s Australian Open at Royal Melbourne.
The reigning US Masters champion arrived in the early hours of Monday morning, with a small entourage and his own security detail.
The Northern Irishman travelled to Royal Melbourne, where he was expected to walk the course, as part of a tour of the world-renowned sandbelt clubs, on Monday afternoon.
McIlroy hit his first shot on the par three fifth hole in front of about 50 people, mostly members of the prestigious club.
There was a tense moment when his on-course security guard, Andrew Dawber, stopped the following crowd and told them to hold their ground.
McIlroy’s sandbelt tour also took in Victoria, Kingston Heath, Commonwealth and Metropolitan.
McIlroy plays a shot at Royal Melbourne.Credit: Jason South
The winner of five major championships last competed in the Australian Open in 2014, when Jordan Spieth won the Stonehaven Cup. The previous year McIlroy won an epic final round duel with Adam Scott to take the crown at Royal Sydney.
McIlroy has committed to playing the Australian Open for two years, including next year’s event at Kingston Heath, enticed by the opportunity to play the sandbelt courses for the first time.
