Adam Scott set to supercharge Australian Open golf, as Cathedral Invitational returns

Adam Scott is expected to line up at the Australian Open in early December before taking centre stage at the returning Cathedral Invitational, marking a major boost for Victorian golf. 

The former Masters champion was announced as a major drawcard for the Australian Open, due to be played from December 4-7, before he will headline the Cathedral Invitation, which will return for the first time since 2023. 

The Australian Open and Cathedral Invitational are major events for Victoria, following their bungled Commonwealth Games bid, and ultimate withdrawal.

Scott’s appearance at the Australian Open will see him join forces with Northern Irish superstar Rory McIlroy, who was confirmed in May as the marquee name for the tournament’s long-awaited return to Royal Melbourne — its first since 1991.

The marquee names are expected to draw huge crowds to Royal Melbourne, with Golf Australia reporting a huge surge in ticket sales following McIlroy’s commitment to the Australian summer. 

Organisers have already revealed Marc Leishman will attempt to spoil the McIlroy-Scott party, but they remain hopeful other top Aussies like Min Woo Lee will compete at the Open and Invitational. 

The Cathedral Invitational takes place at the Cathedral Course in Thornton, which was designed by Greg Norman, with it not normally open to the public. Only the second day of the Invitational tournament will feature crowds, but it will give a unique opportunity to spectators to see a course they would not normally be allowed to walk. 

Australian betting sites are yet to launch odds on the Australian Open golf or the Cathedral Invitational, with both expected to have markets launched surrounding them later in the year. 

Australian Open tickets going fast on back of McIlroy

Following confirmation that 2025 Masters champion Rory McIlroy will play in both 2025 and 2026, the Weekend Pass Product for this year has officially sold out, with daily tickets transitioning from any-one day to single day passes in anticipation of a Sunday sell out.

This marks the first time in Australian Open history that the event has been required to move to single day passes, highlighting the interest from sports fans across the country to watch McIlroy play at the world-class Royal Melbourne Golf Club.

The Australian Open has also ditched the controversial mixed gender format, which was not popular with fans.