Shane Lowry found the Delhi traffic noise more tolerable than the rowdy New York crowd as he showcased his Ryder Cup skills at the top of the leaderboard in India. The Irish golfer clinched a crucial half point to secure the trophy after facing hostility on Long Island the previous month.
In a contrasting setting in Asia, amidst the constant honks and horns of Delhi traffic at the DP World India Championship, Lowry, ranked 25th globally, impressed with five consecutive birdies on the back nine, leading by one shot with an opening score of 64 while playing alongside European captain Luke Donald and Tommy Fleetwood.
Expressing his satisfaction with the group pairing, Lowry mentioned, “We’ve had some recent successes, so I was delighted with the draw. We all had a good time and played well. I managed to sink a few more birdies on the back nine than my companions.”
Reflecting on the experience, Lowry noted, “There were echoes of the Ryder Cup out there. The traffic noise wasn’t as distracting as the Bethpage crowd. Despite the friendly banter, we all strive to perform our best and outdo each other.”
Lowry, who delivered an impeccable round with eight birdies and no bogeys, relished the challenge posed by the compact 6,912-yard Delhi Golf Club course. The 2019 Open champion stated, “This style of course suits me. I often critique wider courses, so I must capitalize on such setups. I did well today, and I aim to maintain this momentum throughout the tournament.”
On the other hand, fellow Irishman Rory McIlroy faced a tougher time, opting not to use his driver during his three-under 69 round, which featured six birdies and three bogeys. McIlroy admitted, “The course is quite tricky. I left my driver out since I didn’t see the need to hit beyond 260-270 yards off the tee on any hole. I strategized with long irons and a 5-wood for potential approach shots on par-5s.”
In summary, Lowry’s impressive performance, coupled with McIlroy’s strategic approach, set an intriguing tone for the ongoing championship in India.
