Prodigy ‘Koala’ Karl Vilips joins Rory McIlroy, Min Woo Lee, Cameron Smith, Adam Scott in field at Royal Melbourne

Vilips was born in Jakarta and moved to Australia with his father, Paul, when he was young.

A golf addict from an early age, Vilips was swinging metal clubs by the age of four. By six, he finished seventh in the junior world championships with a half-set of clubs.

His dedication has been an attribute that has set him apart from other golf prodigies, according to people close to him.

“Karl is one of the young stars of world golf, with a bright future ahead of him. We’re excited to watch him showcase his talents on home soil in front of huge crowds at Royal Melbourne,” Golf Australia boss James Sutherland said.

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Fellow entrant Marc Leishman is taking an unusual route in his preparation, headlining the WA Open at Mount Lawley this week.

Leishman will also contest the Australian PGA at Royal Queensland in the last week of November.

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