We’re halfway through October, the Ryder Cup concluded a couple of weeks ago, and golfers are still heading to this week’s India Championship on the DP World Tour. Hosted at the Delhi Golf Club in New Delhi, the India Championship is hosting some of the most respected personalities in the sport, offering golf enthusiasts in the nation an opportunity to witness some of the finest golfers worldwide.
The $4 million competition marks the second-to-last event before the DP World Tour’s playoffs and the fourth occasion since 2008 that India has hosted a tournament on the European circuit. While previous events have featured prominent figures, perhaps none are as renowned as Rory McIlroy, who brings his career grand slam achievement.
“It’s an important occasion because you’ll have a Hall of Famer — he’s undoubtedly a future Hall of Famer. He’s present, embracing this event in our country, and the setting is ideal,” Anirban Lahiri commented about McIlroy. “We’re playing at DGC, which is a historic golf course. I’m delighted to be here and participate.
“I believe it’s beneficial for golf to have such significant global figures, stars that the younger generation admires and is drawn to, and I believe it’s crucial in developing the next group of champions. I view it as a positive indication. I aspire for more stars like him to continue visiting in the future, and I’ll gladly contribute however I can, whether by participating and being present or by assisting in bringing individuals to organize it.”
Besides McIlroy, European Ryder Cup team participants Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood, and Viktor Hovland, along with team leader Luke Donald, intend to compete at the notoriously challenging Delhi GC. Representing the American contingent, former Champion Golfer of the Year Brian Harman is participating alongside world No. 12 Ben Griffin and recent French Open champion and social media personality Michael Kim.
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By experiencing a unique style of golf and a markedly different culture, some of the individuals mentioned above have been vocal about utilizing golf as a means to travel and discover the world’s sights and sounds. In doing so, they not only broaden their perspectives but also enhance the understanding and accessibility of the sport for those residing in India who will be present this week.
“It’s incredible. The last time we hosted such a significant event was in 2007 or 2008. Ernie Els attended, along with a number of other stars,” Shubhankar Sharma stated. “Since then, the Indian Open has typically been quite large. However, to have such a prominent event in India, the DP World India Championship, I hope it continues for numerous years, and it’s amazing to have all these players here.
“It feels rather surreal because I frequently see them, but it’s in Europe, in America, and I know the majority of these individuals. I shared a flight with Shane [Lowry]; he was seated right beside me. But witnessing them in my nation on a golf course that is iconic to us Indian players is incredible. I’m genuinely pleased. I’m truly thankful to DP World for making this event a reality. India requires such events. With a growing golf community, it can only contribute to the sport’s growth. I’m eagerly anticipating it.”
Here are several additional reasons why the India Championship on the DP World Tour carries significant importance this week:
Grand slam arrival
Although Scottie Scheffler may hold the world No. 1 ranking, McIlroy is arguably the biggest superstar in the game at the moment. With the green jacket and Ryder Cup under his belt, as well as the impressive skills that captivate fans, the five-time major champion will compete in India for the first time in his career.
This timing couldn’t be better for those attending, given McIlroy’s prominence in the sport and his consistent statements that he will prioritize more tournaments like the India Championship as his career progresses.
“I would anticipate my schedule to become more international as time progresses, hopefully. Because that’s what I’ve enjoyed. I’ve consistently said that,” McIlroy stated. “However, I believe I’ve enjoyed it even more over the past few years. I’ve enjoyed the travel. I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to play in front of audiences I’ve never played in front of before.
“But it does fit very nicely. You know, because there is — I’ll always return to play The Irish Open and Wentworth in September, and then, particularly in non-Ryder Cup years, you have some choices to make regarding where you want to play, how much you want to play, and whether you want to take some time off. But this event certainly falls within a desirable period of the year.”
Hovland’s return to action
While McIlroy will undoubtedly capture the majority of attention, Hovland has also gained popularity in recent years. Open and honest about the state of his game throughout the highs and lows of professional golf, the Norwegian is returning to play this week after missing the final two sessions of the Ryder Cup due to a neck injury.
“Ultimately, the course is impartial to your origin, but if you’re from India, you might simply feel more at ease, as everything is more familiar,” Hovland noted. “I believe many players face a long journey, experience jet lag, and encounter hot conditions, making it a very challenging golf course with its narrowness and varied grass types. I’m certain the locals here will feel slightly more comfortable, but ultimately, you must execute the shots and sink the putts, so we’ll see how it unfolds.”
Some American blood
While it’s common for international players to travel globally and participate in various golf tournaments, those from the United States rarely do so. Bound by their schedules and routines that keep them immersed in the PGA Tour for eight months and using the rest of the year for the offseason, U.S. players often prefer to stick to what they know.
This is not the case for Harman and Griffin, who are both making their tournament debuts this week. To Harman’s credit, the left-handed player has included a few more international stops in his schedule since winning the Claret Jug in 2023. He participated in the Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour and in Macao on the Asian Tour in 2024.
“Holding a grand trophy is an experience I’d like to have in India,” Harman said.
Meanwhile, Griffin shared with CBS Sports this past summer that he intended to participate in more international events this fall. No longer required to compete in the FedEx Cup Fall to maintain his PGA Tour playing privileges and qualify for the following season’s signature events, the two-time winner this season is fully capitalizing on the flexibility that good golf provides players.
“I consume a significant amount of Indian cuisine in America,” Griffin mentioned. “I was quite thrilled to come here and experience Indian food in India. That’s the primary thing on my mind.
“In America, I definitely eat a lot of different curries and a lot of different Thai food as well. However, what I eat most frequently is probably korma dishes, a lot of masala dishes, and paratha. So it’s exciting to come over here and have the opportunity to experience authentic Indian food.”
European Ryder Cup lore
One-quarter of the European Ryder Cup team, including McIlroy, Fleetwood, Hovland, and Lowry, has traveled to India, along with captain Donald. Besides a couple of other individuals on that team in Bethpage Black, the India Championship would be hard-pressed to find more popular, amiable, and fan-friendly players from that squad.
The rare away victory further amplifies the anticipation and excitement surrounding these players, significantly benefiting the tournament overall. And it’s safe to assume they’ll receive a warmer welcome in India than they did in the United States, which can only uplift the mood.
“The last few years have obviously been focused on the Ryder Cup, particularly the last few weeks,” Donald remarked. “Our achievement in New York was remarkable, but now it’s back to the daily routine, and I’m excited to be in India for the first time. I’ve traveled extensively around the world with golf but have never visited India. When the opportunity arose, it seemed like a great chance to experience this wonderful country a couple of weeks after the Ryder Cup.”
