Rory McIlroy confirms expected news during PGA Championship

Rory McIlroy has confirmed he will return to Australia later this year to compete in the Australian Open at Kingston Heath from 3-6 December 2026.

The world number two revealed the news in a video message during PGA Championship week at Aronimink, reaffirming his commitment to the iconic championship after making his long-awaited return to Melbourne last season.

McIlroy opened with a disappointing round of four-over 74 on day one of the PGA Championship. 

The six-time major champion labelled his round "s**t" and told reporters he remains unhappy with the state of his driving after finding just five of 14 fairways on Thursday. 

He also threw a tantrum on the fourth tee, something that could land him in hot water according to Sky Sports Golf's Paul McGinley. 

McIlroy will now be looking to bounce back and play his way into the weekend at golf's second major of the season.

Ahead of Friday's second round at Aronimink, McIlroy has confirmed the expected news that he will once again compete in Australia later this season.

McIlroy's appearance at the 2026 Australian Open is expected to headline another strong field and continue the momentum generated by his participation in 2025.

Record fans flocked to Royal Melbourne to watch the Northern Irishman in action last December. 

McIlroy’s appearance at the 2025 Australian Open drew a record 112,698 fans. 

That number shattered the previous tournament record, even surpassing the 2025 LIV Golf Adelaide attendance figures of 102,000. 

The 72-hole tournament will once again be co-sanctioned by the PGA of Australasia and the DP World Tour. 

Golf Australia chief executive James Sutherland believes McIlroy’s involvement has transformed interest in the championship and predicts even greater demand from players and spectators this year.

“There’s a huge halo effect that Rory brings,” said Sutherland at Friday’s Australian Open launch.

“He brought that last year to the tournament locally with fans, ticket sales and the atmosphere. There’s a real afterglow from that event and people are still talking about it.”

McIlroy, a two-time Masters champion and winner of the 2013 Australian Open at Royal Sydney, will again chase a second Stonehaven Cup after finishing tied 14th last year behind Denmark’s Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.

The 37-year-old said he was eager to return to Melbourne and experience Australian golf once again.

“I cannot wait to come back to the Australian Open this December at Kingston Heath. I always have a great time in Australia,” McIlroy said in a video message that was posted to social media on Friday. 

“It has some of the best golf in the world and I can’t wait to get back down there and play in front of everyone.”

Watch McIlroy's announcement here: 

Golf Australia is yet to confirm the remainder of its international field.

But home favourites Cameron Smith, Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee are all expected to be linked with the championship once again.

This year’s Australian Open will be staged at Kingston Heath, widely regarded as one of the best courses in Australia and one of world’s most celebrated Sandbelt venues.

A total prize purse of AUD $2 million (US $1.33m) was on offer at Royal Melbourne.