Career Grand Slam winner Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland will make his second appearance at the DP World India Championship in Delhi this October.
By Rahul Banerji
World number two Rory McIlroy has confirmed he will participate in the DP World India Championship at the Delhi Golf Club this October.
The second edition of the $4 million championship will be played at the historic venue in the national capital from October 15 to 18, a DP World Tour statement said.
The career Grand Slam winner was a massive draw at the 2025 edition won by Ryder Cup Europe team-mate Tommy Fleetwood of England ahead of former Hero Indian open champion Keita Nakajima of Japan.
The reigning Race to Dubai champion completed the Grand Slam at Augusta National last year, adding the Green Jacket to his previous major victories at the 2011 US Open, the US PGA Championship in 2012 and 2014 and The Open in 2014.
The Northern Irishman’s stellar 2025 season also included two further victories on the PGA Tour, as well as helping Europe earn their first away win in the Ryder Cup since 2012 at Bethpage Black, New York.
He rounded out the year by being crowned Race to Dubai champion for a seventh time – a fourth time in succession.
McIlroy will once again appear alongside some of the best players in the world at the DP World India Championship, with reigning FedEx Cup champion Fleetwood also confirming his presence.
DP World and the DP World Tour launched the DP World India Championship in 2025.
Largest prize pot
Co-sanctioned with the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India, the tournament offers the largest prize fund ever at a DP World Tour event in India.
It will once again take its place as part of the crucial Back 9 phase of the Race to Dubai.
“I’ve always enjoyed playing a global schedule so I was excited to visit India for the first time last season to be part of the inaugural DP World India Championship,” McIlroy was quoted as saying.
“The golf fans in India were so welcoming, and the whole experience was truly memorable, so it’s a pleasure to be returning to Delhi in October.”
Fleetwood won the thrilling inaugural event for his eighth DP World Tour title, as part of an incredible season for the Englishman who also won the FedExCup on the PGA Tour.
The year marked his fourth appearance in the Ryder Cup as part of the historic victory over the USA.
The launch of the second edition of the DP World India Championship underscores India’s growing influence as a destination for elite golf and as a strategic market for DP World.
The tournament follows the success of the long-running Hero Indian Open, and boosts the Tour’s momentum in the region, the statement said.
As the Tour’s title partner since 2022, and after becoming the title and official umbrella Partner of the PGTI earlier this year, the tournament complements DP World’s broader sporting footprint in India.
Wide reach
This includes partnerships with IPL team Delhi Capitals, and grassroots programmes like the Second Life Container initiative and ‘Balls for Birdies’ campaign – with DP World donating golf balls, using its smart logistics network, to help grow the game and make it more accessible.
Said Hemant Kumar Ruia, country manager, DP World India sub-continent, “India is a key growth market for DP World. This tournament reflects our long-term commitment to strengthening trade and connectivity across the region.
“By bringing global sport to India, we’re not only showcasing world-class talent like Rory, but also reinforcing the country’s role in the global supply chain.”
The DP World India Championship will be the eighth of nine events in the Back 9 phase of the 2026 Race to Dubai ahead of the season-ending DP World Tour Play-Offs and DP World Tour Championship in November at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.
Also read: Doting dad Fleetwood wins DP World India C’ship for son Frankie
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