A lightning strike in the Indian skies halted the first round of the DP World India Championship, but Tom McKibbin and Rory McIlroy had already made quite an impact. McKibbin delivered a stellar round, moving to the top with 5-under-par after 16 holes and sharing the lead with Spain's Eugenio Chacarra. Six birdies against just one bogey – the man was on fire and was on the verge of another birdie on the par-5 eighth hole when ominous clouds ended the day's play.
Superstar Rory McIlroy also started exceptionally strong. After an early bogey, he rallied impressively, collecting birdies on holes 13, 15, 18, and 2. At 2-under-par after 14 holes played, he sits three shots behind the leaders and has positioned himself well for when play resumes. However, shortly after 11 AM local time (just after 7:30 AM CEST), play was suspended: lightning and thunder made safe continuation impossible and led to a suspended leaderboard.
The Race to Dubai Contention
For McIlroy, this Delhi tournament is more than just another stop on the schedule. It's about securing crucial points for the prestigious Race to Dubai. He started the week in third place in the rankings, just behind Patrick Reed and Chacarra, and is determined to make up ground in the remaining four events.
Rory is ready to battle it out for the 2026 Race to Dubai title 👊 McIlroy has yet to lead the standings this season, with Patrick Reed on top since February. He currently sits third, 307 points behind Reed and 142 behind Eugenio Chacarra, with all three teeing it up this week
Auf X weiterlesenContenders in Position
Other big names are also well-positioned: defending champion Tommy Fleetwood was at 3-under-par when play was suspended, while Shane Lowry, at 1-over-par, still has some ground to make up. The anticipation builds as to who will truly emerge victorious once play resumes and claim the win.
