McIlroy to return for 2026 India Championship at Delhi Golf Club
NEW DELHI — Rory McIlroy will return to India later this year, with the five-time major champion confirming his participation in the 2026 India Championship, scheduled for Oct. 15 to Oct. 18 at the Delhi Golf Club.
The world No. 2 will headline the $4 million event, marking his second straight appearance after a successful debut last season that drew strong fan interest. Organizers have opened ticket registrations and are expecting another large turnout for one of India’s premier golf tournaments.
McIlroy’s return follows a standout stretch in recent years. The Northern Irish golfer completed the career Grand Slam at Augusta National Golf Club, adding a Masters title to earlier major victories at the U.S. Open (2011), PGA Championship (2012, 2014), and The Open Championship (2014). His 2025 season included multiple PGA Tour wins, a second Irish Open title, and a key role in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory in New York. He also secured his seventh Race to Dubai title.
“I’ve always enjoyed playing a global schedule so I was excited to visit India for the first time last season to be part of the inaugural DP World India Championship,” McIlroy said. “The golf fans in India were so welcoming, and the whole experience was truly memorable, so it’s a pleasure to be returning to Delhi in October.”
Tommy Fleetwood, the reigning India Championship winner and world No. 4, is also set to compete. He claimed the inaugural title in 2025 during a strong season that included a FedExCup victory and a role in Europe’s Ryder Cup win.
Launched in 2025 by the DP World Tour in partnership with the Professional Golf Tour of India, the India Championship has quickly emerged as a marquee event. It features the largest prize purse ever offered for a DP World Tour event in the country and is part of the Race to Dubai calendar.
The tournament is part of the Tour’s “Back 9” stretch and will be the eighth of nine events leading into the season-ending playoffs, which conclude at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
The continued participation of top-ranked players underscores India’s growing presence in global golf. Building on the legacy of the long-running Hero Indian Open, the India Championship reflects the sport’s expanding footprint in the region, supported by increased investment, grassroots development, and international partnerships.
With McIlroy and Fleetwood both confirmed, the 2026 edition is expected to deliver another high-profile showcase of world-class golf in New Delhi. (Source: IANS)
