Rory McIlroy starts strong at DP World India Championship while Shane Lowry takes the lead with impressive eight-under round
Rory McIlroy kicked off the DP World India Championship with a solid three-under 69 on Thursday. He is competing in his first tournament since the Ryder Cup victory. However, Shane Lowry took the spotlight during the opening round, securing the lead with an impressive eight-under 64.
Performance of Key Players
McIlroy’s performance featured six birdies offset by three bogeys at the Delhi Golf Club. He is currently five shots behind his Ryder Cup team-mate, Shane Lowry. Lowry’s remarkable round included eight birdies, notably five in a row from holes 11 to 15.
- Shane Lowry: 8-under 64
- Rory McIlroy: 3-under 69
- Keita Nakajima: 1-under (second place)
- Tommy Fleetwood: 4-under 68
- Luke Donald: 4-under 68
McIlroy’s Strategy and Course Challenges
McIlroy opted to leave the driver out of his bag for the tournament. He stated, “I just don’t see any hole out there that I have to hit it more than, say, 260, 270 yards off the tee.” This conservative approach stemmed from his perception of the golf course’s difficulty.
Throughout his round, McIlroy played the back nine first. He started strong with a chip-in birdie at the 10th hole. While he faced challenges with two bogeys, he regained momentum with birdies at holes 14, 18, two, three, and seven before closing with a par on the eighth hole.
Notable Insights from McIlroy
Reflecting on the course conditions, McIlroy noted, “It definitely played a little tougher than I expected.” He remarked on the tricky hole placements that differed significantly from practice rounds, making the challenge greater on the tournament day.
Other Competitors
Other notable competitors included Tommy Fleetwood and Luke Donald, both finishing with four-under 68. Fleetwood’s highlight was an eagle at the 14th hole, achieved by holing out from a bunker. Viktor Hovland, McIlroy’s playing partner, scored a one-under 71, while Ben Griffin matched Fleetwood and Donald’s scores.
As the tournament continues, McIlroy and others will seek to close the gap on Lowry. The next round promises to bring more excitement as players adjust to the challenging course.
Viewers can catch the DP World India Championship live on Sky Sports, with coverage of the second day starting at 7:30 AM on Friday.
