Rory McIlroy shot a two-under par opening round of 70 to finish four shots behind the clubhouse lead on a part-suspended first day of play at the DP World India Championship in New Delhi. He was midway through the back nine when play was stopped for thunder and lightning, and players were off the course for over four hours. When play resumed at 4pm local time, McIlroy completed his round and sits tied 13th.
The world No 2 started from the par-four 10th, which he bogeyed, and went out in 34 after birdies at the 13th, 15th and 18th. He added another birdie at the second hole but followed it with a second bogey at the third, before finishing with six successive pars.
Denmark's Niklas Norgaard holds the clubhouse lead on six-under thanks to a 66, with McIlroy's fellow Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin one of three players at five-under alongside Eugenio Chacarra. Scottish trio Scott Jamieson, Ewen Ferguson and Bob MacIntyre all shot opening rounds of 68, while Tommy Fleetwood dropped two shots at his final hole to finish on two-under.
McIlroy, who sits third in the Race to Dubai rankings, described his round as "okay" and "a solid start". He said he hit the ball well but missed early putts and several opportunities after the delay. He noted the course is playing tougher than last year due to the longer rough. Play continues Friday from 7.30am on Sky Sports Golf.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing