Rory McIlroy praised the LIV Golf while talking about the growth of golf in Australia. The Northern Irish golfer is playing this week at the Crown Australian Open, and ahead of the opening round, which is scheduled for Thursday, he talked to the media.The world No. 2 was asked about the “big golf event starved” in Australia by a journalist. In response, he opened up about how the PGA Tour has been working to make it “as good as it can be.” He also reflected on the LIV Golf Adelaide event."The landscape of men's professional golf in particular, is a little complicated at the moment. I know I have spent some time with Adam on the board of the PGA Tour, and trying to, you know, trying to make that as good as it can be," McIlroy said. "You know, you have got these, you know, other tours, obviously LIV has here in Australia has been amazing... you know the tournament in Adelaide looks absolutely incredible."The Saudi league event in Adelaide is one of the most popular events on the circuit. For the upcoming season, they have announced that DJ John Summit will be headlining the tournament. In 2025, Joaquin Niemann won the LIV Golf Adelaide.Now, aside from LIV Golf, this week’s DP World Tour event features a stellar field of some top-ranked golfers in the world. Along with Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott, Min Woo Lee, and others are playing in the event in Australia.Rory McIlroy shoots a round of 72 at the Crown Australian OpenThe Crown Australian Open has kick-started with the first round on Thursday, December 4. Rory McIlroy teed it up and played an opening round of 1-over 72. He struggled with his game.He made a bogey on the first tee hole followed by two back-to-back birdies. However, he again struggled on the fourth hole and made a bogey on it, and then another bogey on the seventh.On the back nine, he carded three birdies and three bogeys for a round of 1-over and settled in a tie for 57th place. Elvis Smylie has taken the early lead at the Crown Australian Open. He played a round of 65 and settled in a three-way tie with Carlos Ortiz and Ryan Fox. The tournament is taking place at Royal Melbourne Golf Club and is scheduled to wrap up with its finale on Sunday, December 7.The second round of the Crown Australian Open will start at 6:45 a.m. local time on Friday. Jack Senior will start the game on the first tee in a group with Jake McLeod and Aaron Cockerill. Rory McIlroy will tee off in a group with Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee at 12:05 p.m. local time.