Rory McIlroy's Unconventional Start in India: A Strategic Move?
In a surprising twist, Rory McIlroy, the world's second-ranked golfer, began his journey at the DP World India Championship with an intriguing decision - leaving his driver behind. This move sparked curiosity and raised questions among golf enthusiasts.
Image: Getty Images
By Matt Gault, BBC Sport NI senior journalist
DP World India Championship - First Round
-7 K Nakajima (Jpn); -5 J Campillo (Spa); -4 J Luiten (Ned), N Elvira (Spa), B Griffin (US), M Schneider (Ger), M Kim (US), D Sheoran (Ind)
Selected Others: -3 R McIlroy (NI), A Sullivan (Eng); -1 V Hovland (Nor)
Full Leaderboard: https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/european-tour/leaderboard (First Round Ongoing)
McIlroy's first round was a rollercoaster, carding a 69 despite his unconventional approach. After helping Europe secure the Ryder Cup victory in New York, McIlroy returned to the course with a different strategy.
He fired an impressive six birdies but was held back by three bogeys, finishing four shots behind Japan's Keita Nakajima. But here's where it gets controversial: McIlroy's decision to play it safe off the tee might have cost him some distance, but he still found the Delhi Golf Club more challenging than anticipated.
"You're aiming for maximum conservatism off the tee, then targeting birdies on the par-fives and hoping to pick up a few more," McIlroy explained. "But this course is tricky. The early hole locations were particularly challenging, and the pins were tucked away, making it tougher than expected."
Starting at the 10th, McIlroy began strongly with a birdie, but then slipped into back-to-back bogeys. He regained his form on the par-fives, picking up shots on the 14th and 18th, and added three more on the back nine before a bogey at the eighth.
The Masters champion, however, remains steadfast in his strategy. "You've got to get the ball in the fairway," he said. "The rough is unpredictable, and I experienced that with my last two shots."
Nakajima, on the other hand, had a stellar opening round, carding an impressive 65 with eight birdies and just one bogey. The 25-year-old, who won the Indian Open last year, is now two shots ahead of Spain's Jorge Campillo.
Playing alongside McIlroy, US Ryder Cup player Ben Griffin started with a solid 68, while McIlroy's European teammate Viktor Hovland signed for a 71. Later starters in the first round included European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald and stars Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry.
And this is the part most people miss: McIlroy's decision to leave his driver behind is a strategic move that could pay off in the long run. It's a bold choice that showcases his adaptability and willingness to take calculated risks. Will it be enough to secure him the win? Only time will tell.
What do you think? Is McIlroy's strategy a stroke of genius or a risky move? Let us know in the comments!
