Rory McIlroy Faces Unique Challenge at India Open

New Delhi, India — Rory McIlroy is set to face a difficult challenge at the India Open held this week at the Lodhi course of the Delhi Golf Club. This marks McIlroy’s first visit to India, a vibrant country of 1.45 billion people, and it comes in a year filled with career achievements, including winning the Open Championship and participating in the Ryder Cup.

The Lodhi course, located not far from the iconic Taj Mahal, is known for its tight layout, measuring just 6,912 yards. With an average fairway width of only 25 yards and a critical 14-yard choke point on the 16th hole, players will have to demonstrate precision over power. “The intimidation factor is very real,” noted Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma. Sharma, familiar with the course, described it as a home turf, an advantage he hopes will help him this week.

Another local hero, Anirban Lahiri, also recalled his initial struggles at the course. “Terrible,” he laughed, reflecting on his early attempts. He emphasized the importance of strategy, explaining, “You can’t try and overpower this golf course.” Lahiri confirmed that a cautious approach tends to pay off, and it seems many players, including McIlroy, are embracing this tactic.

During a press session, McIlroy humorously suggested he may not use his driver this week. “I just don’t feel like the risk is worth the reward,” he said, preferring to hit less risky clubs to avoid costly mistakes. He added, “You just keep hitting it down the middle… if you do that, then you can do very well.”

Viktor Hovland, who has only played a few holes at Lodhi, agreed with the assessment, stating he would likely rely on his 3-iron and 3-wood during the tournament due to the course’s challenges. Meanwhile, Brian Harman highlighted that the design gives a links-golf feel, emphasizing strategy over brute strength.

As the tournament progresses, players like Ben Griffin look forward to the mix of clubs they’ll use, noting that it’s refreshing compared to the driver-wedge routine common in American courses. “I like courses like this a lot more,” he said. “It’s something I haven’t competed on in quite a while.”

The India Open promises a gripping competition, testing the skills of McIlroy and his fellow competitors in unexpected ways.