Mexican Carlos Ortiz produced a late surge to grab a share of the lead with Elvis Smylie and Ryan Fox after a six-under-par 65 in Thursday’s opening round of the Australian Open, while Rory McIlroy struggled in blustery conditions at Royal Melbourne, finishing with a one-over 72.
Smylie, 23, son of former Australian tennis player Elizabeth Smylie, delighted home fans with seven birdies against a lone bogey. New Zealand’s Fox matched the leading score with eight birdies and two bogeys.
“The winds are a big factor today,” Smylie said.
“I felt like I did a good job at using my creativity and my imagination with flighting a lot of really nice shots and then always making sure I’m leaving it on the right side of the hole.
“I embrace days like today. I think I belong and I know that and I believe that, so I’m just happy that I’m able to showcase that on a stage like this one.”
Denmark’s Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen carded a four-under 67 to sit two strokes back alongside France’s Clement Charmasson and Scotland’s Cameron Adam.
McIlroy, a five-times major winner and 2013 Stonehaven Cup champion at Royal Sydney, managed five birdies but was undone by six bogeys in his first return to Royal Melbourne since 1991, disappointing the large crowds who came to see him.
“It was a wonderful atmosphere ... really cool to see how many people were lining the fairways and framing the greens,” McIlroy said, noting how tricky the conditions were.
“The greens are getting firm. It was a good thing they didn’t cut them today, it would’ve been unplayable ... (I) felt like I could have shot under par or shot something in the 60s, but it doesn’t look like anyone’s going to get too far away today.
“So I limited the damage and hopefully conditions are a little better over the next few days.”
The 36-year-old Northern Irishman admitted his putting let him down after faltering with bogeys in the first, fourth, seventh, 11th, 12th and 16th holes.
“I need to putt better,” said McIlroy, who blew hot and cold throughout the day.
“Holed some good ones. I think I was better from outside 25 feet than I was from inside five, so work on that a little bit. I made enough birdies, but I just need to limit the mistakes a little bit.
“It was good to get one round done and not feel like I’m too far back.”
Australian PGA Championship winner David Puig failed to carry momentum from his triumph last week, carding a three-over 74 to sit well down the leaderboard in joint 105th place.
Australian Cam Smith, the 2022 Open champion, finished joint 26th with a 70.
This year’s Australian Open, co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour, has reverted to a traditional format after Golf Australia scrapped the groundbreaking mixed men’s, women’s and all-abilities competition introduced in 2022.
![]()
Ortiz blitzes late to join three‑way lead at Australian Open, McIlroy falters
Short Url
https://arab.news/96rua
Ortiz blitzes late to join three‑way lead at Australian Open, McIlroy falters
- Smylie, 23, son of former Australian tennis player Elizabeth Smylie, delighted home fans with seven birdies against a lone bogey
Morocco says AFCON final incidents will not affect close African ties
The final had been marred by “regrettable incidents” and “deplorable behavior,” the king said
“Once the passion and emotions have subsided, inter-African fraternity will naturally prevail”
RABAT: Morocco’s King Mohammed VI said on Thursday that African fraternity would prevail after what he described as “deplorable” acts that marred the closing minutes of the Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal.
Senegal’s players walked off the pitch in protest at a VAR-awarded penalty before returning to beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time on Sunday.
Groups of Senegalese fans clashed with Moroccan security as they tried to enter the pitch following the penalty decision.
Senegal has long been one of Morocco’s closest allies in Africa, where Moroccan firms and banks have expanded investments in recent years, strengthening the kingdom’s diplomatic influence.
Hours after the final, social media in both countries were under the spell of tension.
The final had been marred by “regrettable incidents” and “deplorable behavior,” the king said in a palace statement.
“Once the passion and emotions have subsided, inter-African fraternity will naturally prevail,” he said.
“Nothing can undermine the close ties forged over the centuries between our African peoples, nor the fruitful cooperation built with countries across the continent and strengthened by increasingly ambitious partnerships,” he added.
The tournament had also showcased Morocco’s development and represented “a success for all of Africa,” he said.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) said it would take “appropriate action” after reviewing the match incidents, while FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned the behavior of Senegal’s players and members of the coaching staff.
“Once the passion and emotions have subsided, inter-African fraternity will naturally prevail”
RABAT: Morocco’s King Mohammed VI said on Thursday that African fraternity would prevail after what he described as “deplorable” acts that marred the closing minutes of the Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal.
Senegal’s players walked off the pitch in protest at a VAR-awarded penalty before returning to beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time on Sunday.
Groups of Senegalese fans clashed with Moroccan security as they tried to enter the pitch following the penalty decision.
Senegal has long been one of Morocco’s closest allies in Africa, where Moroccan firms and banks have expanded investments in recent years, strengthening the kingdom’s diplomatic influence.
Hours after the final, social media in both countries were under the spell of tension.
The final had been marred by “regrettable incidents” and “deplorable behavior,” the king said in a palace statement.
“Once the passion and emotions have subsided, inter-African fraternity will naturally prevail,” he said.
“Nothing can undermine the close ties forged over the centuries between our African peoples, nor the fruitful cooperation built with countries across the continent and strengthened by increasingly ambitious partnerships,” he added.
The tournament had also showcased Morocco’s development and represented “a success for all of Africa,” he said.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) said it would take “appropriate action” after reviewing the match incidents, while FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned the behavior of Senegal’s players and members of the coaching staff.
Latest updates
© 2026 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.