Masters champion Rory McIlroy has shifted his focus after completing golf’s career grand slam in April, now aiming for the sport’s biggest trophies at its most revered venues. His pursuit begins this week at the Australian Open, held at Royal Melbourne.

The Northern Irishman is making his first trip to Australia in 11 years, seeking a second Stonehaven Cup to add to his 2013 victory over Adam Scott at Royal Sydney.

McIlroy has already called 2025 a career-defining year, highlighted by his breakthrough at Augusta National, victories at the Players Championship and the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, as well as an Irish Open title, a seventh European Tour Order of Merit, and an away Ryder Cup win at Bethpage, despite facing a hostile New York crowd.

Yet the world number two remains hungry, aiming to cap the year in style at the DP World Tour co-sanctioned Australian Open.

“Australia has been a very big part of my golfing journey, going back to playing the Australian Open as an amateur in 2005,” McIlroy told reporters. “I’ve talked about trying to win at some of the most important venues in golf, and this week is one of them. You think about the people who have won at Royal Melbourne and how highly regarded it is.”

McIlroy’s Masters victory made him just the sixth golfer in history to win all four majors in a career, completing his US Open, two PGA Championships, and British Open titles.

He experienced a lull after Augusta, missing the mark at both the PGA Championship and US Open, but bounced back with a strong performance at Royal Portrush, finishing tied for seventh in the British Open behind winner Scottie Scheffler.

Looking ahead, McIlroy has his sights on a British Open victory at historic St Andrews in 2027 and a potential US Open win at Pebble Beach.

“I’d love to win at St Andrews one day. I’d love to win a US Open at Pebble Beach. There are a few venues in our game that maybe mean more than others,” he said.

“My focus now is on winning more majors and being part of more Ryder Cup teams. Records on either tour are becoming less important to me as time goes on—it’s about the majors and building on the legacy I’ve created over the last 15 years.”

McIlroy will tee off Thursday morning in a marquee group at Royal Melbourne alongside 2013 Masters winner Adam Scott and Australian Min Woo Lee.