MELBOURNE, Dec 3 (Reuters) - With five-times major champion Rory McIlroy leading the field and a return to Royal Melbourne for the first time since 1991, there is a genuine sense of excitement about the 108th playing of the Australian Open.

Golf Australia earlier this year dumped the groundbreaking mixed men's, women's and all-abilities format that was introduced in 2022, leaving Australia's oldest and most prestigious tournament once again the sole centre of attention.