Rory McIlroy left his driver out of the bag on Thursday, relying exclusively on irons off the tee to card a three-under 69 in his first round at the DP World India Championship in Delhi.
The world No 2 returned to action for the first time since inspiring Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph at Bethpage Black three weeks ago, facing a very different challenge on the historic Lodhi course at Delhi Golf Club.
The par-72 layout measures just under 7,000 yards and winds through ancient Mughal-era ruins. Narrow fairways lined with dense vegetation place a premium on precision over power – a stark contrast to modern championship courses.
McIlroy sits four shots behind early clubhouse leader Keita Nakajima of Japan, who made eight birdies and a single bogey in a seven-under 65.
The five-time Major winner, renowned for his length off the tee, said Delhi Golf Club was not the place to let his “big dog” loose.
“Dog was out of the bag,” McIlroy joked. “Probably asleep in the locker. I’m never going to hit driver here, so I just thought I’ve got two-iron, three-iron, four-iron all the way through. But I just don’t see any hole out there to hit it more than, say, 260 or 270 off the tee.”
McIlroy made six birdies and three bogeys, with the thick rough catching him out more than once.
“You just have to get the ball in the fairway,” he said. “The rough is unpredictable. You get a lot of fliers.”
Spain’s Jorge Campillo was second after the morning rounds on five-under 67, one stroke clear of a six-way tie on 68.
The inaugural $4-million event, part of the DP World Tour (formerly European Tour), has attracted Ryder Cup winners Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland and Shane Lowry, as well as PGA Tour regulars Brian Harman and Ben Griffin.
South Africa’s Zander Lombard shared eighth position after shooting 66, with countryman Casey Jarvis a further stroke behind.
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Photo: Jason Butler/Getty Images
Article Link: McIlroy lets ‘big dog’ sleep on Delhi debut