Career grand slam winner Rory McIlroy is committed to tee it up at Kingston Heath in 2026 and Denmark's Neergaard-Petersen will be back after his thrilling one-stroke victory over local hope Cameron Smith.

With almost 113,000 fans through the gates over four days at Royal Melbourne and McIlroy singing the tournament's praises to the masses, the Open appears to be back on track after losing its way as a dual-gender affair in recent years.

Northern Irishman McIlroy said he expected the lure of the sandbelt and popularity of this year's edition to "pique interest" among fellow overseas players about joining him next year.

Neergaard-Petersen, who played on the DP World Tour before sensationally gaining his 2026 PGA Tour card with a late surge last month, was quizzed on why he was making the long journey to Australia.

He said he was inspired by former champions, who include Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott, Greg Norman, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Peter Thomson and Jack Nicklaus.

"It's one of the oldest tournaments in the world," the 26-year-old said. "Just a quick peek on some of the names that are on there, and to be able to put my name among those names is unbelievable.

"It was one of the things that a lot of people asked me why I decided to go down here and being able to have a chance to put my name on such a historic trophy was definitely one of them.

"I just can't wait to be back and try to defend."

Neergaard-Petersen has the game and temperament to be a future global star and it's a coup for organisers after last year's champion, American Ryggs Johnston, preferred to chase prize money at the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa rather than defend his title.

Smith has regularly returned home to support the Australian tour, playing in both the PGA Championship and the Open, and will no doubt be back in 2026 for another attempt at being the first home-grown champion since Matt Jones six years ago.

While Smith owns the 2022 British Open title, the Queenslander has long stated that the Stonehaven Cup, alongside the Masters, are the trophies he most covets.

He cut a forlorn figure following his final round devastation, unable to face the media and instead heading straight to the clubhouse.