The Crown Australian Open crowds had just witnessed a rare whiff from the Masters champion in some trees at the par-5 14th.

Organisers didn’t have to wait long to feel the full impact of Rory McIlroy’s appearance at the Australian Open on Thursday.

After hitting a 'fresh air shot' for the first time in memory, bogeying the par five and looking like missing the cut, to setting up a brilliant eagle effort and making birdie in the last two holes in...