Australian Open 2025 Preview - Everything you need to know

HATS off to Rory McIlroy. He could easily have decided to put his feet up until the PGA Tour kicks off again in January 2026. But no, the Northern Irishman is the star attraction at this week’s Crown Australian Open as he begins his attempt to win the Race to Dubai for a record-equalling eighth time.

Having lost in a playoff to Matt Fitzpatrick at the DP World Tour Championship, the world number two arrives Down Under in terrific form and will start the week as a red-hot favourite to win his 21st DP World Tour title. He has enjoyed a magnificent 2025, winning The Masters to claim the Career Grand Slam, as well as claiming the Irish Open, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Players Championship and inspiring Europe to victory in the Ryder Cup. He also finished third in the Abu Dhabi Championship, second in the Scottish Open and fourth in the Dubai Desert Classic.

He has recently said that Europe’s leading players have a duty to play more tournaments on their home circuit, and it is great to see him putting his money where his mouth is.

He has said that he wants to play more global golf, to compete in events and at courses where he has never played before. And Royal Melbourne is widely regarded as being one of the best courses on the planet.

This year’s Australian Open has attracted a world-class field. McIlroy will be joined by the likes of Cam Smith, Joaquin Niemann, Adam Scott, Abraham Ancer, Jose Luis Ballester, Ryan Fox, Min Woo Lee and David Puig.

I will be fascinated to monitor the progress of two young Spaniards who have chosen to join LIV Golf. Ballester and Puig are widely regarded as being two of the brightest prospects in the game, golfers who should be playing in majors but who currently occupy lowly positions in the world rankings because of the few chances they get to accumulate world ranking points. So they need to make tournaments like this count.

Ballester had a successful junior career and lost the final of the 2018 Boys Amateur Championship. In 2019, he won the Spanish U-16 Championship and played for Spain in the European Young Masters, where he finished second. He was also runner-up at the 2019 Junior Orange Bowl International and the 2020 Desert Amateur in the United States and won the 2020 Spanish Amateur.

He attended Arizona State University from 2021 to 2025, and played with the Arizona State Sun Devils team, where he earned All-American honours twice.  At the 2022 Arnold Palmer Cup, he replaced Eugenio Chacarra, who turned professional before the event. Ballester won 3.5 of 4 possible points as the international team beat the Americans 33–27.

In 2025, Ballester competed in The Masters and made headlines during the first round when he urinated in a tributary of Rae’s Creek. He went on to miss the cut by eight shots. Ballester finished third in the PGA Tour University standings, earning him full Korn Ferry Tour status, but turned it down and instead joined LIV. It remains to be seen whether this decision backfires.

His fellow Spaniard, 23-year-old David Puig, also opted to join LIV but has recently taken up membership of the DP World Tour as he chases world ranking points. Like Ballester, he is a fabulous prospect who should be playing in majors. He demonstrated at the Australian PGA Championship exactly what we have been missing.

Former Open champion Cameron Smith is in desperate need of a good week. He missed the cut at the Australian PGA Championship and has endured a miserable year but will be looking to turn things around in front of an enthusiastic home gallery.

Last year’s Australian Open was won by rank outsider Ryggs Johnston, an American rookie who began the week ranked 953rd in the world and ended it with a remarkable success after a final round of 68.

At the opposite end of the scale, South Korean former world number one Shin Ji-yai secured her 65th career victory as she won the women's title at the event, which sees the men's and women's Opens played on the same course at the same time.

Form Guide

It is difficult to see beyond Rory McIlroy, who will not be travelling all this way without having prepared properly.

Tournament Winners

It was won in 2015 and 2019 by Matt Jones, in 2016 by Jordan Spieth, in 2017 by Cameron Davis, in 2018 by Abraham Ancer, in 2022 by Adrian Meronk, in 2023 by Joaquin Niemann and last year by Ryggs Johnston. There was no tournament in 2020 and 2021.

The Course

Royal Melbourne is a par-71 measuring 7,086 yards. Designed by the legendary Alister McKenzie, it is widely regarded as being one of the finest courses in Australia. It features punishing rough, many bunkers and large greens, putting a premium on accuracy.

Prize Money

The total prize fund is $A2m, with 3,000 Race to Dubai points up for grabs.

How to Watch

Wednesday, December 3, TNT Sports, 8.30pm; Thursday, December 4, TNT Sports, 8.30pm; Friday, December 5, TNT Sports, 9pm; Saturday, December 6, TNT Sports, 9pm

Thursday, December 4, Sky Sports Golf, 1am; Friday, December 5, Sky Sports Golf, 2.30am; Saturday, December 6, Sky Sports Golf, 2.30am; Sunday, December 7, Sky Sports Golf, 2.30am

Australian Open Betting Tips & Picks

To win:

Rory McIlroy. Class act.

Each way:

Min Woo Lee. Hugely underrated.

Each way:

Joaquin Niemann. Chasing more ranking points.

Five to follow:

Rory McIlroy. Serial winner.

Min Woo Lee. Exciting talent.

Joaquin Niemann. Fiery character.

David Puig. Flying high.

Abraham Ancer. Course is made for his straight hitting.

Five outsiders to watch:

Bernd Wiesberger. Looking to turn the clock back.

Jose Luis Ballester. Desperate for ranking points.

Danny Willett. In the wilderness.

Andrew Johnston. Who doesn’t love Beef?

David Law. Has enjoyed a great season on the HotelPlanner Tour.