While Tiger Woods hosts his exclusive Hero World Challenge and the DP World Tour rolls on with its own marquee stops, the real spectacle in golf is unfolding half a world away in Melbourne. As the 2026 Crown Australian Open unfolds, Rory McIlroy’s recent comments about the Hero World Challenge not having the same hype and glamour are resurfacing.

Now, cameras have caught a few moments that are proving McIlroy’s words true.

At the Australian Open, more than 2,000 eager supporters flooded through the gates by 6:30 am on a chilly morning in December. Fans gathered at the Royal Melbourne to witness and honor the Northern Irish superstar on the fairways.

Right after the fourth day concluded at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club, the official X handle of the Australian Open shared that the attenda

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