His worst result at a regular DP World Tour event since 2021 – Rory McIlroy performed below expectations at the DP World India Championship, finishing the tournament in a tie for 42nd place. At 4-under-par and a significant 17 strokes behind winner Eugenio Chacarra, the top golfer showed that even legends can show some rust, especially after an extended break during which he barely touched his club.
The round in India was a wild ride: two eagles and 14 birdies were offset by ten bogeys and two double-bogeys. An emotional rollercoaster, during which McIlroy interestingly opted not to use his driver at all. Things really got intense out on the course, but unfortunately not always in the desired direction. At least he finished the week with a birdie.
Race to Dubai: The Cards Are Being Reshuffled
This result primarily impacts the Race to Dubai. Eugenio Chacarra, who claimed victory here, now climbs to the top of the rankings. While Rory McIlroy remains in third place, the gap to Chacarra is enormous at 948 points. Chacarra himself delivered one stellar round after another in 2026, securing his third seasonal victory with the triumph in India, thus starting off very strong.
Million-Dollar Deal and Its Consequences
The matter becomes intriguing due to Kevin Kisner's suggestions that McIlroy received a $10 million appearance fee for his participation in India. While McIlroy did not confirm the sum, he emphasized that commercial factors and the desire to promote golf in India can go hand-in-hand. For McIlroy, it's now time to enter a training phase; he will likely skip the Genesis Championship. His focus is on the final DP World Tour playoff events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, where big points await. The result of the DP World India Championship is more of a wake-up call for his Race to Dubai campaign than an indicator of his long-term form.
