Not everyone has been a fan of Rory McIlroy at Royal Melbourne this week. Certainly not American Charlie Hoffman, who stepped up his comeback from injury with a rare appearance at the Australian Open (Hoffman missed the cut with 73-73).

Rory McIlroy’s third round at the Australian Open was bizarrely affected by a banana peel. The Masters champion is nine shots adrift of leader Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen at Royal Melbourne

Dec 6 (Reuters) - Denmark's Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen made a late surge to card a five-under 66 and take the lead on day three at the Royal Melbourne on Saturday, while Rory McIlroy overcame an early error to grab two consecutive birdies and stay in the hunt at the Australian Open.

Masters champion Rory McIlroy and Australia’s best male golfers are playing for the biggest prize in Australian golf.

World No. 82 Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen (-14) recorded birdies on 16, 17 and 18 on Saturday to regain ascendancy and forge a two-shot lead at Royal Melbourne heading into the final day. The PGA Tour-bound Dane will feel the pressure though as there is a dangerous chasing group on his tail, including Smith and Si Woo Kim who are -12.

Dec 5 (Reuters) - Rory McIlroy grabbed three birdies in his last four holes to make the cut at the Australian Open on Friday, while Portugal's Daniel Rodrigues and Denmark's Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen set the pace at Royal Melbourne on nine-under par.

Rory McIlroy is nine shots behind leader Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen ahead of the final day of the Australian Open at Royal Melbourne.

Cameron Smith did not beat around the bush when explaining how he plans to be among the contenders to claim the Australian Open at Royal Melbourne.