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Golf’s Grand Arrival: DP World India Championship 2025 Debuts in Delhi
From 16 to 19 October 2025, golf fans across India will have a spectacle to behold. The DP World India Championship 2025 is set to make its debut at the Delhi Golf Club (Lodhi Course), bringing one of the most star-studded lineups ever seen on Indian soil. At its center is Rory McIlroy, making his first professional appearance in India, as well as a contingent of Ryder Cup stalwarts and top international talent.
This event is not just another tournament — it represents a landmark moment in India’s golfing journey, with the largest prize purse ever offered in the country for a DP World Tour event, and a chance to showcase world-class golf in the national capital.
Venue & Course: Tradition Meets a Modern Test
The Delhi Golf Club is steeped in history, with roots dating to the 1930s. The Lodhi Course, in particular, has long been a prestige venue, hosting national and international events over the decades.
In 2019, the course underwent a redesign led by Gary Player Design, preserving its classical elegance while upgrading it for modern play. New features include larger MiniVerde Bermuda greens, refined bunkering, contouring, and updated irrigation systems to balance playability and sustainability.
The course is a par-72 layout measuring about 6,912 yards, which calls for accuracy, strategy, and solid short-game play. Among its charms: tree-lined fairways, subtle greens, and a setting that retains glimpses of the architectural and natural heritage around Delhi.
Field & Format: Big Names, High Stakes
The tournament’s roster is a who’s who of global and Indian golf.
- Rory McIlroy is undoubtedly the headline attraction. Fresh from completing the career Grand Slam with a Masters win earlier this year, he arrives in Delhi with momentum and ambition.
- Accompanying him are Ryder Cup stars Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood, and Luke Donald (the latter making the transition from captaincy to competitive play).
- Rounding out the international contingent are players such as Ben Griffin (USA) and others from Europe and beyond.
- On the home front, India will be well represented. More than 25 Indian golfers are in the field, including familiar names like Anirban Lahiri, Shubhankar Sharma, Shiv Kapur, and Chiragh Kumar.
- For many of these Indian players, the tournament is a dual opportunity: to compete at the highest level and to perform in front of their home crowd.
This championship is also co-sanctioned with the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), linking domestic aspirations with the global stage. In terms of format, the event follows conventional stroke play over four rounds. Tee times for the first two rounds have been released: McIlroy will be paired with Hovland and Griffin, teeing off from the 10th hole at 7:25 am local time on Thursday Meanwhile, Lowry, Fleetwood, and Donald are grouped together, adding strategic intrigue to the pairings.
Money & Rewards: The Largest Prize Fund on Indian Soil
Money matters: the total purse is US $4 million, making this the richest professional golf event ever held in India. The winner stands to pocket a substantial $680,000. The payouts cascade down, with second place garnering around $440,000, third around $252,000, and so on.
Beyond the monetary gambit, DP World Tour / Race to Dubai points are at stake, making this more than just a prestige event — it’s pivotal for season standings and playoff positioning.
Interestingly, a DP World Tour rule grants automatic entry to Ryder Cup players into major events, regardless of their rank, which could help some players like Fleetwood and Lowry maintain presence in high-stakes tournaments.
Player Insights & Pre-Tournament Buzz
The anticipation is electric. McIlroy, speaking in previews, expressed excitement not only to compete but to explore India and engage with local fans — calling it a “great opportunity” to grow the game. Similarly, Fleetwood said he’s delighted to return to Delhi and “entertain Indian fans at an important point in the season.” Lowry, who returns to Delhi after many years, expressed eagerness to experience the city and the course anew.
Indian players are equally buoyed. Shubhankar Sharma reflected on his early days as a junior practising at Delhi GC, calling it “tough, iconic … a course I’ve played a lot.” For Anirban Lahiri, the event is particularly poignant: he has posted victories on Indian soil, including at Delhi GC in past tournaments, giving him home-ground familiarity.
Given the deep field and high stakes, several analysts see this as an open tournament. While McIlroy is the favorite, the presence of Hovland, Fleetwood, Lowry, and several in-form challengers ensures maneuverability for surprise contenders.
What This Means for Indian Golf
This tournament isn’t just about one week of competition — it carries symbolic weight for Indian golf on the world stage.
- Visibility & Prestige: Hosting a high-profile event like this raises India’s stature as a golf destination.
- Inspiration & Development: Young Indian golfers get a rare chance to see the world’s best in action at home, potentially fueling dreams and elevating standards.
- Economic & Tourism Impact: Golfing events of this scale attract spectators, media, and visitors, boosting local business and sports tourism.
- Legacy for the Course: Delhi Golf Club itself gains further international recognition; its 2019 redesign and heritage blend may now become more celebrated internationally.
Final Thoughts
As India hosts its first DP World Tour event in its capital, anticipation runs high. Will McIlroy add another title to his legacy on foreign soil? Will an Indian star rise to surprise the crowd? Or will one of the seasoned Ryder Cup legends seize the moment?
Between the challenge of the course, the weight of the field, and the high stakes of money and points, the DP World India Championship 2025 promises drama, excellence, and a milestone for golf in India.
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