Shane Lowry found the Delhi traffic noise less distracting compared to the rowdy New York crowd as he showcased his Ryder Cup prowess by leading the scoreboard in India. The Irish golfer clinched a crucial half point to secure the trophy amidst a weekend of challenges on Long Island.
In a contrasting setting in Asia, the continuous honking and bustling traffic noise in Delhi provided the backdrop for the DP World India Championship. Playing alongside European captain Luke Donald and Tommy Fleetwood, ranked 25th globally, Lowry delivered five consecutive birdies on the back nine for a stellar start with an opening round of 64, seizing a one-shot advantage.
Lowry expressed his delight with the group pairing, stating, “I was thrilled when I saw the draw. We’ve had some recent successes as a team, and we all had a great time playing well. I managed to sink a few more birdies than my partners on the back nine.”
Reflecting on the experience, Lowry mentioned, “There was a bit of reminiscing about the Ryder Cup. The noise from the road didn’t bother us as much as the Bethpage crowd.”
The golfer, who tallied eight birdies without a bogey, relished the challenge posed by the compact 6,912-yard Delhi Golf Club course. Lowry remarked, “I feel my game suits this type of course. I often complain about wide courses, so when I encounter a layout like this, I aim to capitalize on it. Today was a good start, and I hope to maintain this form throughout the tournament.”
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy, another Irish contender, faced a tougher test at the course, opting not to use his driver during his three-under 69 round featuring six birdies and three bogeys.
Describing the course, the Masters champion noted, “It’s quite tricky out there. I left my driver out of the bag, probably resting in the locker. I didn’t see any hole where I needed to hit it more than around 260, 270 off the tee.”
McIlroy elaborated on his strategy, saying, “I decided to be conservative on the par-5s today, avoiding the driver to ensure I have longer irons into the greens. I planned to rely on my 2-iron, 3-iron, and 4-iron throughout, with a 5-wood on standby for approach shots on par-5s.”