Round 1 Highlights | 2026 Crown Australian Open

Round 1 Overview

• 💡 The 2026 Crown Australian Open commenced at Royal Melbourne Golf Club under challenging tough morning conditions, including strong winds and firm, fast greens.
• 🎯 Elvis Smylie and Ryan Fox emerged as the co-leaders after the first round, showcasing exceptional play in the difficult environment.
• ⛳ The tournament is co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR of Australasia, marking the DP World Tour's return to Royal Melbourne after a 20-year absence.

Noteworthy Player Performances

• 🌟 Rory McIlroy displayed early creativity and made several magnificent long putts, though his round was described as a "roller coaster" of birdies and bogeys.
• 🦅 Adam Scott achieved an eagle, providing a significant boost to his round.
• 👏 Elvis Smylie impressed with his putting strike and overall game, making a strong run and positioning himself as a top contender.
• 🔥 Ryan Fox had an outstanding round, recording seven birdies and only one bogey, demonstrating excellent distance control and maintaining his form from the previous week.
• ⛳ Other players like Geoff Ogilvy, Min Woo Lee, and Cam Davis also had notable moments, including clever shots and strong starts.

Course Conditions and Strategy

• 💨 Players faced gusty conditions and tricky pin placements, requiring significant imagination and creativity in their shot-making.
• 🧠 The course at Royal Melbourne was described as firmer and faster than earlier in the week, with greenkeepers doing a good job managing the speed.
• 🛠️ Golfers like Smylie discussed adapting to "1970s golf" shots for the conditions, emphasizing the need to know when to play new school as well.
• 🗺️ Local knowledge was crucial, particularly for shots involving backstops and understanding the tapestry of each course on the Melbourne Sand Belt.