Two-time Major champion and World Number 3 Rory McIlroy has confirmed his place in the field at the 2013 Emirates Australian Open at Royal Sydney Golf Club from 28 November 1 December. It will be the 24 year-old Northern Irishman s first appearance at the Open since 2007. It’s been a few years since I last competed in an Australian Open. I competed in 2006 when I was still an amateur and then a year later after just turning pro, McIlroy said. Both were in Sydney and I ve always enjoyed myself in Sydney so I am very much looking forward to returning to Royal Sydney. McIlroy won the 2011 U.S Open at Congressional and 2012 US PGA Championship at Kiawah Island among six PGA Tour victories to date and joins World Number 4 and Masters champion Adam Scott in the field. Destination NSW CEO, Sandra Chipchase, said I m delighted to confirm that World No.3 and 2012 PGA Champion, Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, will play exclusively in Sydney at the 2013 Emirates Australian Open. Destination NSW has entered a strategic partnership with Golf Australia to stage the Open in Sydney until 2015. We are committed to our long term vision of seeing the tournament become the premier event of its kind in the Asia Pacific region. Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt said he was thrilled to see McIlroy return to Sydney for the Emirates Australian Open. Rory has captured the attention of the sporting world in the last two years with his wins at the U.S Open and PGA Championship and we re really looking forward to seeing him in action at Royal Sydney Golf Club, Pitt said. The fans are in for a real treat watching Masters champion Adam Scott and Rory among those competing for the Stonehaven Cup and I d encourage everyone to get in early when ticket sales open to make sure they ve got a spot for what will be a huge week for Australian golf. PGA of Australia CEO Brian Thorburn said The Emirates Australian Open continues to attract the world s best players to Sydney and, on behalf of the PGA Tour of Australasia, we re looking forward to welcoming Rory back to Australia. The Emirates Australian Open will be broadcast live on the Seven Network across all four days. Tickets for the championship go on sale via Ticketek on August 28. The Emirates Australian Open will again be sanctioned by the PGA Tour Australasia and OneAsia. The Championship is owned by Golf Australia and is managed by World Sport Group in conjunction with the PGA of Australia, with the assistance of TRP Sports.
Author: Golf Australia