Cricket greats Brian Lara and Ian Healy, Swans co-captain Jarrad McVeigh and former Wallabies skipper John Eales were among the big sporting names in the field in Wednesday's Pro-Am at the Australian Open.

But it was McVeigh who had the privilege of a round with Northern Irishman and world No.1 Rory McIlroy.

Healy was partnered with Nick O'Hern, Lara joined Geoff Ogilvy and John Eales teamed with Peter O'Malley in the morning hit around The Australian Golf Club.

"I enjoyed the new look of The Australian," Lara said. "Geoff was amazing and I thoroughly enjoyed the day.

"I'm playing very often. I'm the tourism and sport ambassador for Trinidad and Tobago. I've replaced my cricket bag with my golf bag so I have an opportunity to interact with a lot of people and try and get them to come down to my country. Geoff's playing well. I like his style. He's a very calm individual."

Bad back forces Stuart Appleby out of Australian Open

Stuart Appleby succumbed to a back complaint after just a handful of holes during the Pro-Am and was forced to withdraw from the tournament.

The 43-year-old Victorian carried the injury through the Australian Masters last week and was still feeling sharp pain down his lower left side.

His place in the field will be taken by Queensland's Blake McGrory, who will join John Senden and amateur Lucas Herbert in the marquee morning group.

Adam Pengilly makes a birdie at Pro-Am

The Hacker co-contributor Adam Pengilly was invited to participate in Wednesday morning's Pro-Am alongside fellow members of the media.

The invite was extended on Tuesday night, but the Fairfax Media scribe did not completely disgrace himself despite the short notice.

Pengilly made birdie on the ninth while McIlroy's gallery was waiting patiently for the world No.1 to tee off on the adjoining eighth, but that was all that made the highlights reel.

Ross Greenwood the attraction, not Rory McIlroy

Two women looked a little lost on the 12th so The Hacker pointed them in the direction of the Rory McIlroy gallery a couple of holes behind. However, the Northern Irishman was not their interest.

"No, we're trying to find Ross Greenwood," they replied.

Luckily for them, Channel Nine's all-round good sport was only a pitching wedge away with his playing group, which included Harvey Norman king Gerry Harvey and professional Aaron Townsend. The Hacker was told selfies were the order of the day when Greenwood and his fans met.

Keep up do date with Australian Open via radio

The Australian Open has introduced an initiative that will give golf enthusiasts a rare insight into this year's tournament.

Organisers have introduced Australian Open radio providing which will allow listeners at home and workplaces and at The Australian Golf Club to keep up to date via their phones and computers.

It's the first time this has been done at a golf tournament in Australia.