World No. 1 Rory McIlroy has supported the move by Australian Open officials to put he and World No. 2 Adam Scott on opposite sides of the draw for the opening two rounds in Sydney.

Scott recently stated he was seeking revenge over McIlroy after the then reigning Masters champion let slip victory to McIlroy on the final hole of last year’s Australian Open at Royal Sydney.

The current World No. 2 ranked Scott called on organisers to pair him with McIlroy during next Thursday’s and Friday’s round at the Australian Club.

However McIlroy, who will arrive in Sydney from Dubai on Monday night (Australian time), learned from organisers on Friday that will not be the case .

Rory McIlroy holds aloft the Stonehaven Trophy after winning last year’s Australian Open. (Photo – Anthony Powter)

“I can understand where Adam is coming from and it sounds great but I guess for the tournament point of view it’s better we are not paired for the first two days and that’s what I learned has taken place,” said McIlroy from Dubai.

“So if we both play like we did last year at Royal Sydney we could find ourselves together over the weekend.

“I guess it was a ‘tongue in cheek’ remark from Adam but it all adds to the publicity of the tournament so that’s not a bad thing.”

McIlroy will get his first look at the Australian Club near lunch on Tuesday when he intends having lunch in the company of Australian-born Ryan Rufffles, son of tennis great Ray Ruffles.

Earlier this year the 16-year old Ruffles, who was born in Florida, captured the prestigious Riverdale Cup and the Australian Junior Amateur title.

Ruffles is contesting the Australian Masters in Melbourne and was grouped with Scott and fellow Ausrtalian-born Major winner Geoff Ogilvy for the first two rounds at the Metropolitan Club.

And the teenager continues to display his enormous talent making it through to the weekend rounds and was lying at one-under par and seven shots off the lead with a round to play.

“Given the time difference between Australia and Dubai I have been paying close attention to the scores in Melbourne and really impressed with how well Ryan is playing,” said McIlroy.

“I played a practice round with him at Royal Sydney last year and I am looking forward to playing a practice round with him on Tuesday afternoon.

“I’ve been in contact with him so we’ll meet up for some lunch in the clubhouse on Tuesday and then go out and play the golf course.

“But he’s a good player and certainly has come on in leaps and bounds in twelve months.”

McIlroy became the first non-Australian in 16 years to capture be handed the Stonehaven Trophy a year ago and next week will seek to be the first non-Australian since legendary Jack Nicklaus in 1976 to successfully defend the Australian Open.

“I am looking forward very much to getting back to Sydney as I have enjoyed myself down there,” he said.

“And when I look back on what I achieved last year at Royal Sydney the victory started everything that I have managed to achieve this year.

“It started the ball rolling nicely to winning the BMW PGA Championship, and the flagship of the European Tour, and then a first Open Championship victory, my first WGC win at the Bridgestone Invitational and then a week later, winning a second PGA Championship.

“So if it had to put a finger on what was the trigger to what I’ve managed to achieve this year it was my victory in the Australian Open.