Bold statement: Rory McIlroy isn’t done chasing majors, and he’s eyeing one final goal on Scottish soil that would crown a legendary career—after clinching the career grand slam with this year’s Masters, his next big target sits atop the links of Scotland.
McIlroy, currently world No. 2, opened up about his ambitions ahead of the Crown Australian Open at Royal Melbourne, calling the event an important venue on his list. He wouldn’t rule out the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship as a potential stepping stone, but his sights are clearly set on The Open at the Old Course, where he nearly added a second Claret Jug in 2022 before Cameron Smith surged ahead in the final round.
Looking ahead to 2027, when The Open returns to the Old Course for the 31st time, McIlroy is preparing for his next big challenge on golf’s oldest stage. His recent career grand slam places him among an elite group: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods. This year also saw him win at Pebble Beach for the first time, capturing the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Beyond those goals, he’s expressed a desire to win the US Open at Pebble Beach, highlighting that certain venues hold extra meaning. He emphasizes that he wants to add more majors to his collection and to be part of more Ryder Cup teams.
Back in Australia, McIlroy is enjoying a warm reception twelve years after winning this event by a stroke over Adam Scott. He is on track to equal the calendar-year record with an eighth title, provided he can repeat his earlier form in what marks the beginning of a two-year commitment to the Crown Australian Open.
Speaking about his return to Australia, McIlroy described the hospitality as outstanding and said he’s thrilled to be back, noting that the country has played a significant role in his golfing life—from his amateur days at the Australian Open in 2005 and 2006 to his ongoing career.
The event lineup in this week’s tournament features fellow Scots David Law, Daniel Young, and Cameron Adam carrying the Saltire, a nod to the nation’s long history in the event. The championship itself traces its roots to 1905, when Scot Dan Soutar won the second edition, with later runners-up like Norman Wood and Sandy Lyle in 1974 and 1987 respectively.
In other news, Bob MacIntyre will bid farewell to the calendar year at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, headlined by world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. Meanwhile, Grant Forrest, Connor Syme, Calum Hill, and Ewen Ferguson begin the new DP World Tour season at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in Sun City, South Africa, an event held in honor of Gary Player.
Would McIlroy’s Scottish Open dream reshape the narrative of his career, or does the chase of records and venues across the globe matter more? Share your thoughts on where his next landmark victory should occur and whether there’s another venue that could become his most meaningful triumph.
