Rory McIlroy sent 'claustrophobic' warning by LIV Golf star and told he needs to show 'guts'
Rory McIlroy is the headline name in a star-studded field at the DP World India Championship this week, and home hero Anirban Lahiri has spelled out the challenge that awaits the Masters champ
Rory McIlroy will break new ground this week when he tees it up in India for the first time, and the Masters champion has been warned that he will be faced with "one of the most claustrophobic golf courses in the world."
McIlroy headlines a star-studded field at the inaugural DP World India Championship, which tees off at the revered Delhi Golf Club on Thursday. Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland, Brian Harman, Ben Griffin and Luke Donald are among the other big names involved in the event.
LIV Golf star Anirban Lahiri will also tee it up in his homeland this week after receiving a sponsor's exemption, and he told Mirror Sports US that players are "in for a treat" at Delhi Golf Club, but the course — with its narrow fairways that are bordered by dense vegetation — will present challenges rarely experienced by McIlroy and the other star names on show, including Hovland who makes his first appearance since his controversial withdrawal at the Ryder Cup.
Lahiri believes strategy and "guts" will be required to tame Delhi Golf Club, which may be short by modern standards at 6,912 yards, but its suffocating layout leaves players walking a tightrope for the entirety of their round.
"Delhi Golf Club is one of my favorite golf courses. I'm really glad that we're going back. It's been eight or nine years since the DP World Tour went there. Rory is coming, which will be great for the fans back home," Lahiri said ahead of the tournament.
"If you haven't seen it before, then you're in for a treat. I think it's one of the most claustrophobic golf courses in the world. I think it's right up there with the Valderramas of the world. You have nowhere to bail out. You have to hit the shot in front of you.
"You don't have to hit driver. It's about navigation. It's about strategy. It's about executing your plans. But even that takes guts out there. So, it'll be fun."
Five-time major champion McIlroy was given a hero's welcome when he arrived in Delhi on Monday. The Northern Irishman has made no secret of his ambition to play a more global schedule after basing much of his focus in the United States for the past decade.
“I’m excited to not only tee it up in India for the first time but also visit a country that I’ve always wanted to explore," he said when his commitment to play in Delhi was announced.
“I’m proud to play in the inaugural DP World India Championship. I’ve always enjoyed playing a global schedule and as I have previously said, there is tremendous potential to grow golf further in the country. This is a great opportunity, and I can’t wait to play in front of Indian golf fans.”
The tournament is McIlroy's first since playing a decisive role in Europe's Ryder Cup victory over Team USA at Bethpage Black last month, banking 3.5 points from his five matches in New York.
It promises to be a very different week for the 36-year-old, who faced a torrent of abuse from unruly spectators in Long Island throughout the Ryder Cup. In India, however, the world No. 2 is sure to be treated like royalty as he plays in the Asian subcontinent for the first time.