Golf-Major coup for Australian Open as McIlroy signs up for two years

FILE PHOTO: Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy celebrates with his green jacket and the trophy after winning The Masters and completing a career grand slam. Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia, U.S., April 13, 2025 REUTERS/Pilar Olivares/File Photo

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Masters champion Rory McIlroy will play the next two editions of the Australian Open in a major coup for one of golf's oldest tournaments, which has struggled in recent years to get marquee names to undertake the long journey south.

The Northern Irishman, who completed the career Grand Slam at Augusta last month, will vie for the Stonehaven Cup at Royal Melbourne in early December this year and at nearby Kingston Heath Golf Club in 2026.