McIlroy to make India debut at $4 million DP World championship

Indian stars, including Anirban Lahiri, face a formidable challenge against a world-class field led by five-time Major champion Rory McIlroy, who makes his maiden competitive appearance in India at the $4 million DP World India Championship beginning at the Delhi Golf Club (DGC) here on Thursday.

The field has 26 Indians, many of them winners of international events at the DGC layout, which include Lahiri, winner of Indian Open in 2015, Chiragh Kumar and Shiv Kapur.

“India is a country I’ve wanted to travel to for a long time,” said McIlroy.

“I’m excited to play a golf tournament in a place that I’ve never played before. 18-odd years into a professional career and to still be able to do things for the first time is something that excites me.” Co-sanctioned by the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), the event boasts the largest purse ever offered for a DP World Tour event in India.

While international winners Lahiri, Shubhankar Sharma, Shiv Kapur, Rahil Gangjee and Ajeetesh Sandhu, are the biggest Indian names in the field, there are also a number of young Indian players competing at the mega event who have made a mark on the PGTI in recent years and will now look to make an impression.

“A lot of things have changed since I last played the course. It’s still got a familiar feel. I think off the tee, it’s still the same. But very happy and excited to be back,” said Lahiri, winner of the Indian Open in 2015. McIlroy, who currently tops the Race to Dubai standings, will tee off alongside Viktor Hovland and Ben Griffin over the first two rounds at the DGC. Known for its narrow fairways and dense tree cover, the course will demand accuracy over aggression — something McIlroy acknowledged, saying he may not hit his driver all week.

“The next time I hit my driver will be in Abu Dhabi. (Laughter) I don’t think I’ll hit a driver this week. I just don’t feel like the risk is worth the reward,” the 36-year-old said.