Melbourne could be become the permanent home for the Australian Open golf tournament

Rory McIlroy and some of the world’s top golfers are teeing off in Melbourne this week and there are talks underway to lock in the city as the long-term Australian Open host.

Golf Australia boss James Sutherland has raised high hopes of Melbourne being locked in as the long time home of the Australian Open.

As global superstar Rory McIlroy and some of the world’s best golfers tee off at Royal Melbourne this week, Mr Sutherland revealed negotiations over a new deal for the Open were already underway.

In an exclusive interview with the Herald Sun, Mr Sutherland said Melbourne — which hijacked the Open from Sydney in 2024 and has hosting rights this year and next — could become a permanent home for the event.

Golf Australia boss James Sutherland says negotiations for a new deal for the Open are underway. Picture: Alison Wynd

“We’ll keep talking to our government and other partners about that,’’ he said.

“We would love that’’

McIlroy received a welcome fit for a sporting king as he hit the practice fairways on Tuesday, signing autographs for adoring fans and getting into the swing of Royal Melbourne.

Mr Sutherland said the fact Melbourne had been mooted as a permanent home for the Open spoke volumes.

“It highlights the power of Melbourne’s golf courses, Victoria’s golf courses but particularly

Melbourne’s and the sandbelt,’’ he said.

“We monitor really closely what international players say about our golf courses here in Australia or the attraction of coming to Australia and we repeatedly hear them talk of being romantically induced by the sandbelt.

“That was certainly the case with Rory. He’s spoken about it for a while and we just pounced on that opportunity when it was fit.

Rory McIlroy received a welcome fit for a sporting king on Tuesday. Picture: Getty

“And he’s unashamedly said ‘this is all about being able to play Royal Melbourne where I’ve never played before’.’’

It will be the first time since 1991 the Open has been played at Royal Melbourne, with general admission tickets for Saturday and Sunday sold out more than a week ago and more than 100,000 passes already snapped up.

Aussie star Adam Scott in July told the Herald Sun it could usher in a new “golden age” of Australian golf, labelling Royal Melbourne “Australia’s greatest venue’’ and declaring his support for the Open in Melbourne.

“I think it would be great for it to be on the sandbelt as often as possible,’’ he said.

With five time major champion McIlroy also headlining next year’s Open at Kingston Heath, Melbourne will again draw the eyes of the sporting world and mount a case for staging the event annually.

But, with the likes of NSW and SA also likely to bid for the Open, Victoria will have to strike the right deal and prove via events this week and next year that it belongs on Melbourne’s famed sandbelt.

“Getting sort of long term commitments is a little bit about where the golf course is but also the state government support we get from that,’’ Mr Sutherland said.

“We’re hopeful that what we’ve done, we’ve got high aspirations for elevating this Australian Open.

“We’ve sort of put our cards on the table this year, by getting Rory out and playing at Royal Melbourne.

“And we want to go from strength to strength here hopefully that means we’ve got a really strong proposition for state governments and other commercial partners for the foreseeable future.’’

In a statement, the Victorian government said: “As Australia’s major events capital, we’re always working to secure major events that boost tourism and support jobs across the state.”

The tournament runs from Thursday to Sunday, with practice passes from $16 for Wednesday and day passes available for the opening two days of the $2m main event.

Originally published as Melbourne could be become the permanent home for the Australian Open golf tournament