Rory McIlroy has secured a lucrative new deal ahead of the DP World India Championship, but was mocked by rivals over his choice of trousers. The Race to Dubai intensifies on Thursday as the tournament gets underway at the Delhi Golf Club.
A stellar field led by McIlroy includes Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Robert MacIntyre, Aaron Rai, Min Woo Lee and Patrick Reed. With the season-ending DP World Tour Championship approaching in November, this week's tournament is significant. McIlroy begins the week in third position, within reach of standings leader Reed.
Major agreement
McIlroy has signed a profitable new deal that could give him an advantage over his competitors. The two-time Masters champion will shortly gain access to his own fitness and recovery trailers on both the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour.
The amenities will provide McIlroy and his team with a mobile performance centre, ensuring he no longer needs to depend on what tournament venues have available. DP World, the title sponsor of the European Tour, will manage the delivery, installation, storage and removal of the trailers.
McIlroy, who has taken on the role of DP World ambassador as part of the agreement, explained: "When you're competing around the world, consistency really matters. Having the same environment to train and recover in every week gives me and my team one less thing to think about and lets us focus on preparing and performing."
Rory ridiculed by rivals
McIlroy faced merciless teasing from his fellow professionals over his choice of trousers before the DP World India Championship. The 37-year-old is typically spotted wearing tailored slacks, but possibly owing to Delhi's sweltering conditions, he opted for a looser-fitting style.
Upon his Tuesday arrival at the venue, his revised appearance drew mockery from Fleetwood, Lowry and Rose, much to the delight of Ryan Fox and MacIntyre. This marks not the first occasion McIlroy has endured ribbing from competitors, having been mocked the previous year for appearing at the Scottish Open sporting unexpectedly cropped hair.
McIlroy's LIV position
McIlroy believes LIV Golf players should be allowed to rejoin the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, despite his earlier condemnation of the breakaway circuit. McIlroy has ranked among LIV's most vocal detractors since the tour sparked a civil war in men's professional golf during 2022.
Following the withdrawal of Saudi backing, several high-profile players are departing, including Jon Rahm. Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Delhi this week, McIlroy said: "Yes, I would [let former LIV Golf players come back]. I think a rising tide lifts all boats, and I think having some of these players back is beneficial for the business of the Tours, absolutely."
McIlroy acknowledged that the membership of both tours would need to consult on the return of LIV players. While he recognises why some might harbour concerns, he explained: "On one hand, I'm sure some members that stayed loyal would feel hard done by if these guys can just walk straight back in."
"But then on the other side, having these players back on your tour is very good for business and that can drive revenues up and then everyone can benefit from that. There certainly is a balance there."
