Rory McIlroy explains why he performed in India after PGA Tour participant Kevin Kisner accused him of chasing reported $10m look charge

Rory McIlroy travelled to New Delhi for the inaugural DP World India Championship, a $4 million occasion meant to carry golf to a serious new viewers. But his look additionally prompted a blunt accusation from fellow PGA Tour member Kevin Kisner, who urged McIlroy was there primarily for a reported $10 million look charge. McIlroy has now answered that criticism, defending each the monetary realities {of professional} golf and his curiosity in rising the sport in India.

McIlroy’s India look drew criticism from Kisner

McIlroy made his first look in India on the DP World India Championship, held at Delhi Golf Club from October 16–19, 2026. The Northern Irishman arrived amongst a robust area that included Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry and Patrick Reed, with the occasion providing a reported $4 million prize fund.His participation got here shortly after he signed a multi-year deal to turn out to be international golf ambassador for DP World, the UAE logistics firm that grew to become the European Tour’s title sponsor in November 2021. Announcing the partnership, McIlroy stated: “That’s why I’m proud to announce I’m becoming a member of DP World as Global Golf Ambassador. Excited to push the boundaries of efficiency collectively, backed by world-leading good end-to-end logistics.”McIlroy has spoken about taking golf into new bourses, however Kisner questioned whether or not that was the true motivation behind the journey. Speaking on the Fore Play Podcast, the four-time PGA Tour winner, now NBC’s lead golf analyst, stated McIlroy was reportedly receiving $10 million to compete.“That is such a canine s*** remark, however I suppose for the best value we might all say that remark,” Kisner stated. “He doesn’t need to globally increase in India; he needs to get his $10 million bucks and go play in India.”Kisner additionally questioned the event’s location and McIlroy’s determination to depart his driver out of his gear for the week.“I do know there’s a pile of fellows that received paid for that occasion. How else would you get that occasion in India with eight billion individuals in the midst of town?” he stated. “And Rory’s not even hitting a driver this week. You assume he needs to go play a event the place he can’t use his No. 1 weapon? So give me a break.”He went additional, suggesting gamers had been anticipated to ship ready feedback about increasing golf internationally.“They all the time appear to say the best issues whereas they’re over there,” Kisner stated. “As a part of your look charge, ‘Here’s your script for altruism, and you have to point out these 4 strains in no matter interview you do all through the week,’ which is completely fantastic, I’d do it too, and all of us on this podcast would.”Kisner added that he discovered it “very odd” that gamers would journey to India for a course the place McIlroy couldn’t use his driver, somewhat than play what he described as “the sickest course within the global community”.

McIlroy says the monetary and sporting causes can coexist

McIlroy stated he had not seen Kisner’s feedback when reporters requested him about them in New Delhi, and questioned why his participation had prompted such a response.“I didn’t see that. I don’t know why me being in India would make Kis must touch upon that,” McIlroy stated.He didn’t deny that gamers can obtain look charges, however rejected the concept that fee essentially undermines their wider causes for competing.“Two issues will be true on the identical time,” McIlroy stated. “People can receives a commission to return and play at a event, however on the identical time, do it from a spot of a real curiosity of making an attempt to carry the game to a different nation, a creating nation, a rustic the place the center class in India is bigger than the entire inhabitants of the United States. It’s an enormous marketplace for golf.”McIlroy has lengthy been amongst golf’s most outstanding cross-border figures, competing throughout the United States, England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, Dubai and India throughout 2026. His journey to New Delhi additionally positioned him among the many headline gamers selling a event designed to increase the game’s attain.

A disappointing end adopted a promising begin

McIlroy’s week didn’t produce the end result he needed. He started with an eagle and in addition made a formidable bunker-shot eagle on the 14th, however misplaced floor through the third spherical after a number of bogeys and a double bogey left him properly behind the leaders.He completed tied for forty second at four-under par after closing with a two-over 74, ending 17 strokes behind winner Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra. The Spaniard completed at 21-under, profitable by two pictures and transferring forward of Patrick Reed on the high of the Race to Dubai standings.McIlroy had arrived in India chasing a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title, having entered the event one win in need of Colin Montgomerie’s document. His end result leaves that pursuit on maintain, with the DP World Tour playoffs starting subsequent month in Abu Dhabi.The inaugural championship’s prize cash additionally positioned McIlroy’s reported look charge in perspective, though the $10 million determine cited by Kisner was separate from the event’s official purse. The winner acquired $680,000, with $440,000 for second place and $252,000 for third.McIlroy is predicted to return to motion in Abu Dhabi subsequent month as he begins the DP World Tour playoffs and continues his bid for an eighth Race to Dubai crown. The India look subsequently fashioned a part of a wider cross-border schedule, whilst his motives grew to become the topic of debate.