Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy ended his historic 2025 season Down Under at the Crown Australian Open where he said the crowds were "absolutely incredible” at Royal Melbourne and that he looks forward to returning there next year.

Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen saved his best until last as he fought off the challenge of Major Champion Cam Smith to claim his maiden DP World Tour title at the 2026 Crown Australian Open.

Rory McIlroy had a difficult start to his Crown Australian Open campaign where renowned Sandbelt venue Royal Melbourne made things “very tricky” for the world number two as he opened with a one-over par 72.

Five-time Major Champion and Career Grand Slam winner Rory McIlroy is headlining the Crown Australian Open this week as the tournament returns to the iconic Royal Melbourne Golf Club on the famed Melbourne Sandbelt.

Rory McIlroy will end an unforgettable Grand Slam winning year with a festive trip Down Under for the season-ending Crown Australian Open at Royal Melbourne.

At the end of a long season, it was two Ryder Cup team-mates who battled to the end before Rory McIlroy secured his seventh Race to Dubai title while Matt Fitzpatrick denied McIlroy in a playoff to win the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

Rory McIlroy’s Grand Slam exploits in 2025 will ensure his name leaves a fitting legacy after the DP World Tour announced a new ‘Rory McIlroy Award’, an annual trophy be presented to the player who performs the best across all four Major championships in a season.

Aaron Rai claimed his second Rolex Series crown at the 2025 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship after beating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic play-off while Rory McIlroy raced to the line with a stunning closing round of 62 at Yas Links GC.

Next year’s Amgen Irish Open will move to Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, Co Clare from September 10-13, 2026, where defending champion Rory McIlroy will seek to thrill home fans just as he did recently at The K Club.