As someone who loses control of the driver from time to time, there’s nothing I love more than a tee shot I can hit anywhere and end up just fine. When it’s dialed, it’s dialed. When it’s not? Well, I’m hitting it off the planet.
So, I think it’s safe to say that Delhi GC, the host venue of this week’s DP World India Championship, is my nightmare. This place is TIGHT. I mean, look at the 18th fairway.
Tiger Woods played here back in 2014 and said, “If you missed a fairway, you were in a bush.” And some of the best players in the world are getting a taste of that this week, as Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, Viktor Hovland, Brian Harman, and Ben Griffin have all made the trip.
On Wednesday, the Northern Irishman made his strategy pretty clear.
“I’d say that the next time I hit my driver will be in Abu Dhabi,” McIlroy said. “I don’t think I’ll hit a driver this week. I just don’t feel like the risk is worth the reward. I’d rather leave myself two or three clubs back and hit a 7-iron into a par 4 instead of hitting a wedge where if you just get it off-line here and the ball is gone. You’re hitting it into jungle and you’re not going to be able to get it out. You can rack up a very big number very quickly.”
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During his practice round, he pulled driver on the fourth but said, “This isn’t going to happen in the tournament, believe me.”
Can’t blame the guy for wanting to show off for the people. I’d do the same thing if I could drive it like him. Before the video cut off, McIlroy said, “I actually might just leave (the driver) in the locker.”
And he’s not alone. Hovland shared a similar game plan, mentioning he might hit driver on holes 10, 14, and 18, but added, “There will be a lot of irons this week.”
It’ll be interesting to watch power players like McIlroy and Hovland dink and dunk it all week, but I’m looking forward to it. Here’s a quick look at the TV schedule for all you night owls out there.
Thursday: 1:30-7:30 a.m. ET on Golf Channel
Friday: 2:30-7:30 a.m. ET on Golf Channel
Saturday: 2:30-7:30 a.m. ET on Golf Channel
Sunday: 2-7 a.m. ET on Golf Channel
