Report: Rory McIlroy adds surprise event to schedule as favour to fellow major champ

Rory McIlroy is set to extend his Australian trip later this year after agreeing to a request from former Masters champion Adam Scott to compete in an exclusive golf tournament. 

McIlroy, 37, is heading Down Under in December to tee it up in the Crown Australian Open for the second consecutive season. 

This year the tournament is being staged at Kingston Heath Golf Club in Victoria over 3-6 December. 

After the conclusion of the event, McIlroy will then head to the Greg Norman-designed Cathedral Lodge and Golf Club for the 2026 Cathedral Invitational on 10 December. 

The news was confirmed by former touring professionals Nick O'Hern and Mark Allen on the Talk Birdie To Me podcast. 

O'Hern said members were emailed last week confirming McIlroy's attendance in the 36-hole mixed event, which benefits Adam Scott's foundation. 

He said he sought permission from the general manager of the club to share the news. 

Scott reportedly asked McIlroy to peg it up, with the Northern Irishman saying it was "no problem at all" to add it to his schedule.

However, McIlroy has reportedly only agreed to play 18 holes. 

The format calls for a pro-am for the first half of the day, with the professionals then taking part in an 18-hole shootout. 

It's unclear if the format will be tweaked to cater for McIlroy.

Notable professionals who played in the Cathedral Invitational last year include former U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy, LIV Golf's Elvis Smylie and young PGA Tour star Karl Vilips. 

McIlroy is not the only high-profile golfer who will be heading to Australia in December. 

Several LIV Golf players will tee up at the Crown Australian Open. Reigning champion golfer of the year, Ryan Fox, is also on the entry list.

In April, Bryson DeChambeau teased that he could play that 2026 Australian PGA Championship and Australian Open. 

Former Open champion Ian Baker-Finch, who is currently the chairman of the PGA Tour of Australia, previously told Golf Australia of his desire to see DeChambeau and McIlroy go head-to-head in his homeland. 

"I think they'd both love to be down there and have the opportunity to play against each other," Baker-Finch said.

"Australian golf is in a good place. 

"We just need the community to invest in that and understand that we have some of the best players in the world - certainly many of the top golf courses in the world -  and we put a good show on.

"We already know that Rory's signed up to come last year and this year and we're so grateful that he is.

"It's turned the Australian Open around, coming back to the Sandbelt, having a great field. 

"The support cast came along as well, which they will always do with the great golf courses.

"I talk to them all the time and they all want to come, the top players.

"But it's not just a matter of inviting someone down. 

"They have to really want to do it for the right reasons and then you've got to get the support behind it as well."

McIlroy is currently taking an extended break from the sport after the men's major season came to an end at the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale. 

In April, he added a sixth major title to his resume with a successful title defence at the 2026 Masters. 

McIlroy posted a top-10 finish at the PGA Championship, shared 32nd place at the U.S. Open and 40th at The Open.