Growing the Game: Rory McIlroy’s Visit to India

Rory McIlroy’s recent visit to play in the DP World India Championship marked the first time a reigning Masters champion has visited the most populous nation in the world. This significant moment may well be the spark that inspires the next generation of golfers in India.

DP World India Championship footage courtesy of the DP World Tour.

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Since 1934, the Masters Tournament has been home to some of golf’s greatest moments. Amidst blooming azaleas, towering pines and flowering dogwoods, the first full week of April ushers in a stage unique to golf and to sport. Over four days and 72 holes, the smallest field in major championship golf competes for a chance to capture the Green Jacket and a place in Masters history.

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[Music] History is often built in small blocks that add up to monuments of change. Such was the case last week in New Delhi where for the first time a reigning masters champion made an appearance with the green jacket in India. A small moment perhaps but the symbolism could mean so much more. Rory Melroy wearing the monument to his great achievement last April was on stage with Sachin Tendulkar. Lovingly called the god of cricket. Arguably the most famous athlete in the history of Indian sport. joined by arguably the most famous golfer of his generation wearing one of the most iconic symbols in sports. It’s one thing to see it on the screen. It’s completely different to see the great champions in the flesh. Melroy is the first reigning masters champion to visit India. His presence was fer for news headlines and social media posts across the subcontinent. However, a more significant impact was on the future generation of golfers in the most populous nation in the world. 17-year-old Ranir Mitru, who is playing the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship this week in Dubai, watched the Melroy mania unfold. the whole week at his home club. It was amazing. I got to see such top class players at my home course. Just the way they approach the game, the way they play, it really inspired me. It’s my dream to one day play the Masters. I’m going to give it my all this week. Whether it’ll be enough or not, we’ll see at the end of the week. But there’s nothing more I’d want than to play the Masters one day. And I believe that one day I’ll get there. It was the spark in the imagination of these young players across the country. The start of a dream unencumbered by the cynicism of age. They now believe that one day the master’s champion won’t just be a visitor coming to their country wearing the green jacket. They believe it will be the case of a master’s champion returning home.