A relieved Rory McIlroy made a late flurry of birdies to avoid the embarrassment of missing the Australian Open cut – also saving the blushes of the Victorian government – on a nerve-shredding day at Royal Melbourne.

Australia’s best men’s golfers will get their shot at the current world no.2, when Cameron Smith, Min Woo Lee, Adam Scott, Marc Leishman and kiwi Ryan Fox will be hell bent on stealing the limelight to pocket the $2 million in prize money on the line.

Rory McIlroy fended off disaster by making the cut at the Australian Open as home favourite Min Woo Lee holed an eagle and four birdies to surge into contention Friday during a dramatic second round.