Imagine this: Rory McIlroy, fresh off a triumphant Ryder Cup victory, is stepping onto the green in India for the inaugural DP World India Championship... and he's paired with none other than Ben Griffin, a key member of the losing Team USA squad. Awkward, right?
The Northern Irishman's appearance at the Delhi Golf Club marks his return to competitive action since Europe's electrifying win in New York. He headlines a strong field vying for glory in this brand-new tournament. This event is crucial, serving as the penultimate stop on the DP World Tour's 'Back 9'. Players are fiercely competing to secure their spots in the season-ending playoffs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, so there's everything to play for!
McIlroy is undoubtedly the star attraction in India, aiming to continue his winning momentum from the Ryder Cup. Remember that nail-biting final day? Luke Donald's European team withstood a fierce comeback attempt from the Americans, ultimately clinching a dramatic 15-13 victory to retain the coveted crown. McIlroy played a pivotal role, contributing a significant 3.5 points to the team's success – marking the first away win for either team since 2012. A true testament to European dominance!
Joining McIlroy in New Delhi are three of his victorious Ryder Cup teammates: the ever-popular Tommy Fleetwood, the unflappable Shane Lowry, and the always-dangerous Viktor Hovland, alongside their triumphant captain, Luke Donald. A real powerhouse of golfing talent!
But here's where it gets controversial... or at least, potentially uncomfortable. McIlroy and Hovland find themselves grouped with their US counterpart, Ben Griffin, for the opening two rounds. Yes, that Ben Griffin. The trio teed off together on Thursday, and the atmosphere was, shall we say, 'interesting.'
This pairing comes barely two weeks after the intensely competitive Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. And this is the part most people miss: the 2025 Ryder Cup was particularly fiery, marked by a relentlessly hostile US crowd directing abuse towards the European players and their families. It was a pressure cooker environment! McIlroy and Hovland managed to navigate this hostile atmosphere, although the latter was unfortunately forced to withdraw from the Sunday singles matches due to a neck injury but still contributed a solid 1.5 points for his team.
For Griffin, the 45th Ryder Cup marked his debut in the prestigious tournament. It’s an inspiring story of perseverance, considering that just four years prior, he was working as a mortgage loan officer! Talk about a career change! Griffin earned a valuable point for Team USA in New York, securing a victory in his singles match against Rasmus Hojgaard on Sunday. He's undoubtedly eager to build upon his breakout year on the PGA Tour with a strong showing at the DP World India Championship, and the financial incentives are certainly motivating.
Speaking of money, what exactly is at stake? The DP World India Championship boasts a total prize purse of a substantial $4 million (£3 million), with the champion walking away with a cool $680,000 (£510,000). Not bad for a week's work!
McIlroy's participation also marks a significant milestone: he's the first reigning Masters champion to compete in a tournament on Indian soil. A historic moment for Indian golf fans!
Earlier this year, McIlroy expressed his enthusiasm for competing in India for the first time, fulfilling a long-held desire to explore the country. "I'm proud to play in the inaugural DP World India Championship," he stated. "I've always enjoyed playing a global schedule, and as I have previously said, there is tremendous potential to grow golf further in the country. This is a great opportunity, and I can't wait to play in front of Indian golf fans."
So, what do you think? Was pairing McIlroy and Griffin a deliberate move to create drama, or just a random draw? And more importantly, did the Ryder Cup animosity spill over onto the fairways in India? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
