Rory McIlroy is relishing his return at the Australia Open, saying the country has been "starved" of top level golf.

McIlroy leads the field at Royal Melbourne in what is the 108th edition of the tournament with Golf Australia opting to end it's dual-gender tournament that was introduced three years ago and return to its traditional format.

The DP World Tour now co-sanction the Australian Open, with McIlroy chasing his first victory Down Under in 12 years and a second Stonehaven Cup.

McIlroy won the Australian Open back in 2013 after beating Adam Scott in a playoff at Royal Sydney and has been open about his desire to return and bring "top level" golf more consistently to Australia.

"It hasn't been a secret that I've wanted to come back ... (and) the change in the format, going back to

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