It’s mid-October, the Ryder Cup is two weeks away, and players are still gathering for this week’s Indian Championship on the DP World Tour. Held at the Delhi Golf Club in New Delhi, the Indian Championship welcomes some of the game’s most prominent players, giving golf fans across the country an opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the world’s best players.
The tournament, which has a total prize pool of $4 million, is the penultimate tournament for the DP World Tour playoffs and the fourth different tournament to be held in India on the European circuit since 2008. There have been star players before, but perhaps none as big as Rory McIlroy, who won a career Grand Slam.
Anirban Lahiri said of McIlroy: “This is a big moment because we have a Hall of Famer. He’s definitely a future Hall of Famer. He’s here, he’s enjoying this event in this country, and the scene is perfect.” “We play at DGC, it’s a historic golf course and we’re excited to be here and be a part of it.
“I think it’s great for the world of golf to have such big global names, stars, the next generation of kids to look up to and attract, and I think it’s so important in creating the next champions. I think this is a great sign. I hope there are more stars like him in the future, and whatever I can do to support that, whether it’s playing and being here or helping organize people, I’m willing to do my part.”
In addition to McIlroy, European Ryder Cup squad members Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland and head man Luke Donald will also play at the devilishly tough Derry GC. On the American side, former Champion Golfer of the Year Brian Harman is competing alongside world No. 12 Ben Griffin and recent French Open winner and social media sensation Michael Kim.
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Having experienced different styles of golf and completely different cultures, some of the above names are adamant about using golf as a means of travel and experiencing the sights and sounds the world has to offer. In doing so, they not only widen their horizons, but also expand knowledge and access to the game for those residing in India and planning to take stock of the situation there this week.
Shubhankar Sharma said: “It’s great. The last time we had such a big event was in 2007 or 2008. Ernie Els came too, there were a lot of stars.” “Since then, the Indian Open has almost become a very big event. But to have such a big event in India, the DP World India Championship, I hope it continues for many years and it’s great to have so many players here.”
“It’s quite surreal because I see them all the time, but it’s in Europe and America and I know most of them. I was on the plane with Shane[Lowry]and he was sitting next to me. But for us Indian players, it’s an iconic figure. It’s great to see them on the golf course in my country. I’m really grateful to DP World for making this event happen. We need events like this in India. It will only help as the golfing population grows. Sports. I’m really looking forward to it. ”
There are several other reasons why the DP World Tour’s Indian Championship is so important this week.
The grand slam has arrived
Scottie Scheffler may be No. 1 in the world, but there may not be a bigger superstar in the world right now than McIlroy. The five-time major champion will play in India for the first time in his career, with the green jacket, Ryder Cup in hand and a match to impress the fans.
The timing couldn’t have been better for those in attendance, given McIlroy’s stature in the game and his consistent statements that further tournaments like the Indian Championship would be on the horizon as his priorities change later in his career.
“I think as time goes on, my schedule will become more international because that’s what I’ve enjoyed doing. I’ve always said that,” McIlroy said. “But I think I’ve had more fun the last few years. I’ve enjoyed traveling and I’ve enjoyed playing in front of people I’ve never played in front of before.”
“But it’s a really good fit because I’m always going to go back and play the Irish Open and Wentworth in September. And especially in a year without a Ryder Cup, you have some options as to where you want to play, how much you want to play, if you want to take some time off. But this event definitely fits in at a good time of the year.”
Hovland’s return to action
McIlroy will get all the attention, and rightly so, but Hovland has also become a fan favorite in recent years. In the world of professional golf, the Norwegian returns to action this week after missing the final two sessions of the Ryder Cup due to a neck injury.
“At the end of the day, on the course it doesn’t matter where you’re from, but at the end of the day, if you’re from India, you might feel more comfortable. Everything is more familiar,” Hovland said. “I think a lot of people have long travel distances, jet lag, it’s hot, it’s small, the grass is different and it’s a very difficult golf course. I think the locals here will feel a little bit more comfortable, but at the end of the day you’ve got to hit the shots and make the putts, so we’ll see how it goes.”
I have American blood in me too.
While foreign players have a habit of traveling around the world and competing in various golf tournaments, players from the United States rarely do so. American players, who spend the rest of the year in the offseason because of the PGA Tour’s grueling eight-month schedule and routine, are often content to stick with what they know.
That’s not the case for both Herman and Griffin, who are making their tournament debuts this week. To Herman’s credit, the left-hander has added several more overseas trips to his schedule since hoisting the Claret Jug in 2023. He competed in the Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour and played in Macau on the Asian Tour in 2024.
“Winning a nice big trophy is something I want to experience in India,” Harman said.
Meanwhile, Griffin told CBS Sports this summer that he plans to compete in more international events this fall. No longer required to compete in the FedEx Cup Fall to remain eligible for the PGA Tour and qualify for next season’s marquee event, this season’s two-time winner is taking full advantage of the flexibility afforded to great golf players.
“We eat a lot of Indian food in America,” Griffin says. “I was so excited to come here and experience Indian food in India, that’s the biggest thing in my mind.
“In America, we definitely eat a lot of different curries and different Thai dishes. But what comes to mind most probably is that in America we eat a lot of korma dishes, a lot of masala dishes, parathas. So it’s fun to come here and experience real Indian food.”
European Ryder Cup legends
The fourth member of the European Ryder Cup team – McIlroy, Fleetwood, Hovland and Lowry – and captain Donald, traveled to India. There were several other names in Bethpage Black’s squad, but the Indian Championship would be hard-pressed to pick a more popular, amiable and fan-friendly player from the squad.
A rare road win not only heightens anticipation and excitement for these players, but also for the tournament as a whole. And it’s safe to say you’ll receive a much warmer welcome in India than in the US, which only makes you feel better.
“Obviously, the last few years have been great for the Ryder Cup, especially the last few weeks,” Donald said. “What we did in New York was great, but yeah, I’m back to my day job a little bit now, but I’m excited to be here in India for the first time. I’ve traveled quite a bit around the world playing golf, but I’ve never been to India. When I had the opportunity to come, a few weeks after the Ryder Cup, it seemed like a great opportunity to experience this amazing country.”
