Rory McIlroy makes shock golf driver claim ahead of DP World India Championship

Rory McIlroy has told reporters he will unlikely be using his TaylorMade driver all week at the inaugural DP World India Championship.

McIlroy, 36, is making his competitive Indian debut on the Lodhi Course at Delhi GC in New Delhi.

The course measures just 6,912 yards, which is among the shortest on the DP World Tour’s 2025 Race to Dubai schedule.

The par-72 layout is laid out among ruined tombs and provides an exacting test for the best DP World Tour players.

It’s also one of the narrowest courses on the rota meaning there is a premium on accuracy.

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After receiving a warm welcome from tournament officials and fans and having got his first taste of the course on Monday and Tuesday, grand slam champion McIlroy has already reached one conclusion: Keep the headcover on the driver.

McIlroy in action at the Ryder Cup

Despite being one of the best drivers of the ball, McIlroy has told the media on the eve of the DP World India Championship that he does intend to hit his TaylorMade Qi10 Driver all week, even on the four par-5s.

“I’d say that the next time I hit my driver will be in Abu Dhabi,” said McIlroy while stifling a laugh.

“I don’t think I’ll hit a driver this week. I just don’t feel like the risk is worth the reward.

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“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.”

McIlroy, who is making his first competitive appearance since helping Europe win the Ryder Cup in New York last month, added: “So being strategic and being smart with your play off the tee, especially, is very important. I can see why S.S.P. [Chawrasia] has done so well around here.

“You just keep hitting it down the middle, hit it 260, 250, 260 every single time, and if you do that, then you can do very well around this golf course.”

So there we have it folks.

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If you are playing a tight golf course this weekend, just remember, not even McIlroy will be taking a chance with his driver.

Watch McIlroy’s interview here:

Shane Lowry, who is also in the field this week, echoes his best pal’s sentiments.

“It’s kind of refreshing to be playing a golf course like this,” said Lowry, who is making his first appearance in India since 2010.

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“We play so many golf courses now where you don’t even think about it and just hit driver on every hole.

“It’s just an old school golf course and it’s very tight off the tee. It’s going to be enjoyable to play.”

McIlroy is looking to win for the second time on the DP World Tour and for the fifth time around the world this season.

He won for the first time ever at Pebble Beach on the PGA Tour before adding a second career win at The Players Championship at famed Sawgrass.

McIlroy then completed the career grand slam at The Masters in April to become just the sixth player in the modern era to achieve golf immortality.

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The World No.2 then won for the second time in his career at his home Irish Open at The K Club, shortly before taking three and half points en route to helping Luke Donald’s Europe to a 15-13 victory at Bethpage Black last month.

The Northern Irishman is now not only looking to win for the first time on Indian soil but he’s also seeking a seventh Race to Dubai title.

McIlroy currently owns a 400-point lead over Marco Penge in the DP World Tour Rankings right now.

The Ulsterman can stretch further clear ahead of next month’s DP World Tour Playoffs as Penge has taken the week off after winning his third title of the season at the Open de Espana on Sunday.

Should McIlroy go on to win the Race to Dubai again at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, he will move to within one of record eight-time Order of Merit holder Colin Montgomerie.

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McIlroy and Lowry celebrate Ryder Cup victory