Imagine stepping onto a golf course without your most trusted club—your driver. Sounds risky, right? Well, that’s exactly what Rory McIlroy did at the DP World India Championship, and it’s sparking conversations across the golfing world. But here’s where it gets controversial: Did this bold strategy pay off, or did it leave him at a disadvantage? Let’s dive in.
In his first tournament since helping Europe clinch the Ryder Cup in New York, McIlroy opted for a cautious approach, leaving his driver in the locker. The result? A first-round 69, placing him three shots behind Japan’s Keita Nakajima, who stole the show with an impressive 65. McIlroy’s round was a rollercoaster of six birdies and three bogeys, showcasing both his skill and the challenges of the Delhi Golf Club.
And this is the part most people miss: Despite his conservative strategy, McIlroy admitted the course was trickier than anticipated. ‘You’re trying to be as safe as possible off the tee,’ he explained, ‘but the course has its own surprises.’ The pin placements, in particular, caught him off guard. ‘During practice, the pins are in the middle of the green, but on tournament day, they’re tucked away, making it tougher than expected,’ he added.
Starting on the 10th hole, McIlroy birdied his opener but quickly faced back-to-back bogeys. He recovered with birdies on the par-fives 14th and 18th, adding three more on his back nine before a bogey on the eighth. His strategy? ‘Get the ball in the fairway,’ he emphasized. ‘The rough is unpredictable—you never know when you’ll get a flier.’
Meanwhile, Nakajima’s round was nothing short of stellar, with eight birdies and just one bogey. The 25-year-old, who won last year’s Indian Open, leads by two shots over Spain’s Jorge Campillo. Playing alongside McIlroy, U.S. Ryder Cup player Ben Griffin carded a 68, while Viktor Hovland, McIlroy’s European teammate, settled for a 71.
Here’s the bold question: Is McIlroy’s driver-less strategy a smart adaptation or a risky gamble? With players like Luke Donald, Tommy Fleetwood, and Shane Lowry still in the mix, this tournament is far from over. What do you think? Is McIlroy’s approach a masterstroke or a missed opportunity? Let us know in the comments—this debate is just heating up!
