Rory McIlroy is set to play in a blockbuster group as he stars in the Australian Open at Royal Melbourne Golf Club.
The Northern Irish star - a five-time major winner - has committed to playing in the event in 2025 and 2026.
McIlroy is also a former winner of the Australian Open - defeating Adam Scott by a single shot in 2013 at Royal Sydney.
Will he get his second title in Australia's premier golf tournament?
MORE: Australian Open: Which stars are playing in golf tournament?
Rory McIlroy tee time, player group - Australian Open
Round 1
Group: Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott, Min Woo Lee
Time: Thursday 7:05am (AEDT)
Tee: 10
Round 2
Group: Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott, Min Woo Lee
Time: Friday 12:05pm (AEDT)
Tee: 1
Why is Rory McIlroy playing at the Australian Open?
McIlroy has locked in playing at the Australian Open in 2025 at Royal Melbourne and 2026 at Kingston Heath.
It is the first time McIlroy has played at the event since 2014 - the year after he beat Adam Scott to win the Stonehaven Cup.
McIlroy - a five-time major winner - has been quoted as stating the Australian Open is golf's 'fifth major'.
"I'm proud to be committing to the Australian Open for the next two years, especially with it being played on the world-class Melbourne Sandbelt, somewhere I've always wanted to play professionally," McIlroy said in a statement.
"The success of the Australian Open is important for the global game, and I'm incredibly confident it will thrive again this year, especially with it being staged in one of the world's great sporting cities and on two of the finest golf courses in the world over the next two years: The Royal Melbourne Golf Club and Kingston Heath Golf Club.
Confirmed stars at the Australian Open
- Rory McIlroy
- Cameron Smith
- Adam Scott
- Min Woo Lee
- Marc Leishman
- David Puig
- Joaquin Niemann
- Carlos Ortiz
- Sebastian Munoz
- Josele Ballester
- Marco Penge
- Victor Perez
- Jordan Smith
- Yannick Paul
- Richie Ramsay
- Manuel Elvira
When and where is the Australian Open
The Australian Open will commence on Thursday, December 4, with the final round on Sunday, December 7.
It will be played at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Black Rock, Melbourne.