A relieved Rory McIlroy made a late flurry of birdies to avoid the embarrassment of missing the Australian Open cut – also saving the blushes of the Victorian government – on a nerve-shredding day at Royal Melbourne.

From “young boy” to being the man leading the Australian Open, the evolution of Elvis Smylie took another gigantic step at Royal Melbourne on Thursday.

The 2025 Australian Open is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated in recent memory. The event is headlined by the arrival of this year's Masters champion Rory McIlroy, who returns to Australia for the first time since 2014 in a landmark moment for the tournament co-sanctioned by the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and DP World Tour.

No one wants to jinx it, but one of Australia’s superstar male golfers could break a painstaking national drought on Sunday. With one round to play in the Australian Open at Royal Melbourne, Cameron Smith, Min Woo Lee and Adam Scott are all in the mix to win the trophy, while Lucas Herbert is a longer shot but cannot be counted out.

Dave Tindall picks three to follow to sit top of the leaderboard at the Australian Open at prices from 40/1 to 70/1

The Minnesota Twins finished in a disappointing fourth place in the American League Central this past season, but they at least earned some bragging rights in the offseason.

In the group behind McIlroy and superstar Australians Adam Scott (-2) and Min Woo Lee (-2), Cameron Smith (-1) played more like his old self as Smylie stole the show with a six-under par opening round 65.

Golfers Cameron Smith and Adam Scott believe the Australian Open has regained its status as a prestigious tournament after returning to its traditional format without playing it concurrently with the Women's Australian Open.

Rory McIlroy literally left an impression on a fan during the second round of the DP World Tour's Australian Open at Royal Melbourne Golf Club on Friday.