Rory McIlroy shoots 69 but ends up surprised by tough India Championship test at ‘tricky’ New Delhi course

Rory McIlroy shoots 69 but ends up surprised by tough India Championship test at ‘tricky’ New Delhi course

Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy left his driver out of the bag but still fired six birdies in a three-under 69 to lie just four shots off the early pace in the DP World India Championship in New Delhi.

Playing for the first time in India as he bids to stretch his lead at the top of the Race to Dubai in his quest for a seventh Harry Vardon Trophy, the world number two was just four shots behind Keita Nakajima after finding tight and strategic Delhi Golf Club a demanding test.

The Japanese star made eight birdies in a seven-under 65 to lead by two shots in the clubhouse from Spain’s Jorge Campillo with McIlroy lurking just inside the top ten.

“Yeah, it’s pretty tricky,” said the Holywood