Rory McIlroy has announced that he will extend his time in Australia after participating in the Australian Open, adding the Cathedral Invitational to his schedule. The six-time major champion and World No. 2 will compete at the Cathedral Lodge & Golf Club in Victoria on December 10, following the Australian Open.
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McIlroy expressed his intentions to Golf Australia, stating, "I’m going to stay for a couple of days after. I’m going to play the Cathedral Invitational, which benefits Adam Scott’s foundation. So, I’m going to stay down for that. I’m excited for that as well."
The Cathedral Invitational, launched in 2022, features 36 holes of competition. Due to its exclusive location, opportunities for the public to watch McIlroy play are expected to be limited.
McIlroy’s Australian trip will kick off at the Australian Open, scheduled for December 3-6 at Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne. Last year, he returned to the Australian Open at Royal Melbourne, marking his first appearance since 2014 and finishing tied for 14th at 7-under par. The event drew more than 112,000 spectators, setting a record for the most-attended golf tournament in Australia.
The golfer has previously expressed enthusiasm for his experiences in Melbourne, often combining his international schedule with family exploration. During his last visit, he engaged with the city's renowned coffee culture and visited Melbourne Park, home to the Australian Open tennis tournament.
McIlroy has encouraged other top players to visit Australia, including World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who has expressed interest in experiencing the region’s famous Sandbelt courses despite complications of traveling with a young family.
McIlroy will have two competitive starts during his December trip before focusing on the 2027 PGA Tour season. His next appearance on Tour will be at the DP World India Championship from October 15-18, followed by the DP World Tour Playoffs in the Middle East, where he aims to secure his eighth Race to Dubai title.