Rory McIlroy declared his 2013 Australian Open success was the launchpad to his 2014 winning stardom
McIlroy has confirmed he will defend his Australian Open title from November 24th to 27th at the Australian Club in Sydney.
And McIlroy said his victory last December at Royal Sydney along the shores of Sydney Harbour over then reigning Augusta National champion and Australian-born Adam Scott is the reason for what he’s gone onto achieve this year in winning the BMW PGA Championship, the 143rd Open Championship and last week’s WGC – Bridgestone Invitational.
Rory McIIroy, winner of the 2013 Australian Open at Royal Sydney (Photo: Anthony Powter)
“I am looking forward very much going back to defend and returning to Sydney as it’s one of favourite cities in all the world and I’ve always enjoyed myself in Sydney,” he said.
“J P (Caddy) and I were only saying the other day that winning the Australian Open was very much the key to what I’ve managed to achieve so far this year.
“To go down to Sydney and compete head-to-head with Adam on that final day and come out on top of the reigning Masters winner, and also in front of his home crowd, was pretty special and it gave me the win I was looking for.
“Not only did it mean I’ve won at least one event a year since winning in Dubai in 2009 but I took what I did in Sydney late last year into this year and winning the BMW, The Open and last week well, I can look back to winning the Australian Open last year as pivotal in my success this year.
“Also the reception I received last year from everyone was fantastic, and particularly as I felt like a bit of villain in beating Adam at the last hole, so that’s another reason for wanting to defend as everyone was just so good to me.”
However McIlroy will not want to be reminded of his last visit to Sydney when on New Year’s Eve, and just a short distance from the Royal Sydney course, he proposed to Caroline Wozniacki.
