The 2025 Australian Open is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated in recent memory. The event is headlined by the arrival of this year's Masters champion Rory McIlroy, who returns to Australia for the first time since 2014 in a landmark moment for the tournament co-sanctioned by the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and DP World Tour.

Smith has won the Australian PGA Championship three times but has made no secret of the fact that -- outside the majors -- the Australian Open is the title he craves most. Smith and Neergaard-Petersen went toe to toe on Sunday's back nine.