George Souris MP Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality and Racing Minister for the Arts MEDIA RELEASE Monday 25th November, 2013 Rory McIlroy Arrives for Australian Open of Golf Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris and Minister for Sport and Recreation, Gabrielle Upton, today welcomed one of the world’s best golfers, Rory McIlroy, to Sydney prior to the start of the Emirates Australian Open of Golf at the Royal Sydney Golf Club on Thursday. “The NSW Government, through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, secured Rory McIIroy to play exclusively in Sydney at the Australian Open, and I am delighted to welcome him to NSW,” Mr Souris said. “And the battle between Rory and our own home grown hero and world number two, Adam Scott, will be something to thrill golf fans everywhere”. “The Australian Open of Golf provides the only opportunity for Australian golf fans to see Rory McIlroy take on our home grown hero, US Masters champion and world number two, Adam Scott, who will attempt to secure the Australian Triple Crown by winning the Stonehaven Cup.” Mr Souris said this year’s Australian Open has attracted a stellar field including the evergreen Peter Senior who will be defending his Australian Open title against golfers of the calibre of Jason Day, Aaron Baddeley, Robert Allenby, John Senden, Geoff Ogilvy, Aaron Baddeley, Greg Chalmers, Nick O’Hern, Scott Gardiner, Cameron Percy, Craig Parry and Rod Pampling. “This is the final tournament of the PGA Tour of Australasia season and it’s great to see Sydney host this world-class event. Visitors coming to the Australian Open Golf in Sydney are in for a real treat to indulge their golfing passion,” Mr Souris said. “The NSW Government remains committed to the long term vision of showcasing the historic Australian Open and highlighting Sydney and NSW’s stunning, world-class golf courses to the world.” Minister for Sport and Recreation, Gabrielle Upton, said: “Australia has consistently produced world class golfers and sporting ambassadors, and this year promises to be an exciting and hotly contested Australian Open at Royal Sydney.” “Adam Scott has been in career-best form having earlier this year become the first Aussie to win the US Masters. This week he will attempt to win the triple crown of Australian golf and just last month was awarded Australia’s prestigious The Don Award by the Sport Australia Hall of Fame – a first for a golfer. “This talented, world-class golfing line up reinforces Sydney’s position as Australia’s home of major sporting events.” Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt, said: “Wherever you are, if you can get to Royal Sydney Golf Club this week, you’re in for a fantastic four days of golf action as the Adam Scott hype reaches fever pitch.” “The strength in this field is its depth and the international flavour. While we’ll all be cheering Adam on to the Triple Crown, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day and the multitude of leading Australian players will all have their own plans for the Stonehaven Cup.” The Emirates Australian Open will be broadcast live on the Seven Network across all four days and the championship will again be sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and OneAsia. The State’s Events Calendar, support by the NSW Government, features Australia’s world class sporting events including: The Sydney 500 Grand Finale at Sydney Olympic Park, 6-8 December, 2013 The Australian Open of Golf, 28 November - Sunday 1 December, 2013 The Special Olympics, Asia Pacific Games,1 December – 7 December, 2013 Australian Junior Surf Titles, 30 November – 7 December, 2013 Ashes Test match, 3 January – 7 January, 2014 Apia Tennis International Sydney, 5 – 11 January, 2014 Australian Open of Surfing, February 8 -16, 2014 V8 Supercar Championship Series round, 22-24 August 2014 Top Gear Festival, 8-9 March 2014 The Opening Series of Major League Baseball, March 21-22, 2014. Tickets are on sale via Ticketek at www.ticketek.com or by calling 132 849. .