The DP World Tour has landed in New Delhi, and the buzz around the 2025 DP World India Championship is palpable as the world’s best golfers descend on the historic Delhi Golf Club. Running from Thursday, October 16 through Sunday, October 19, this prestigious event brings a $4 million purse and a winner’s share of $680,000, raising both the stakes and the excitement in the heart of India’s capital.
Golf fans around the globe are in for a treat, with a star-studded field headlined by World No. 2 Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman arrives in India riding a wave of momentum, fresh off his fourth win of the year at the Irish Open and a pivotal role in Europe’s triumphant 2025 Ryder Cup campaign at Bethpage Black. McIlroy’s presence always electrifies a tournament, and his commitment to the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai title is only intensifying as the season races toward its climax.
McIlroy’s not alone in bringing Ryder Cup pedigree to Delhi. He’ll be joined by his European teammate Viktor Hovland, the ever-steady Shane Lowry, and Tommy Fleetwood, who’s still basking in the glow of his 2025 FedEx Cup victory. European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald is also teeing it up, adding a layer of intrigue as he pairs with Lowry and Fleetwood for the opening rounds. American fans will recognize Michael Kim—winner at the Open de France just weeks ago—and 2023 Open champion Brian Harman, both looking to make their mark on Indian soil.
The action kicks off under classic Delhi conditions. Thursday’s forecast calls for calm, hot, and bright weather—temperatures starting at 20°C and climbing to a sweltering 30°C by midday, with barely a whisper of wind at just 6 mph. It’s the kind of day that rewards precision and poise, and with no draw bias expected between the morning and afternoon waves, every player will have a fair shot at posting a low number out of the gate.
For those watching from afar, Golf Channel has you covered with live broadcasts from 3 to 7:30 a.m. ET Thursday through Saturday, and a slightly earlier finish on Sunday at 7 a.m. ET. The NBC Sports App steps in with exclusive early streaming coverage—perfect for die-hard fans eager to catch every swing, starting at 1:30 a.m. ET Thursday and 2:30 a.m. ET on the following days. Whether you’re an early riser or burning the midnight oil, there’s no excuse to miss a moment of the action.
As the field prepares for Thursday’s opening round, all eyes are on a trio of intriguing contenders highlighted by respected golf tipster Jamie Worsley. Darius Van Driel, the Dutchman known for his laser-like accuracy, is tipped as a first-round leader threat. Van Driel’s recent form is impressive: a runner-up finish at the Soudal Open in May, five cuts made in his last six starts, and a blistering nine-under 63 at Kingsbarns just two events ago. According to Worsley, "Van Driel has begun with a round in the 60s in each of his last four outings, including firing a nine-under 63 at Kingsbarns to share the first-round lead at the Dunhill Links two starts ago." His consistency off the tee and sharp iron play make him a dangerous man on Delhi’s tree-lined fairways.
Frenchman Benjamin Hebert, another each-way betting favorite, brings a rock-solid long game to the table. Despite struggling with the putter for much of the year, Hebert seems to have found his touch on the greens, as evidenced by his recent performance at the Open de Espana. Worsley notes, "He looked to have found something on the greens when narrowly missing the cut in last week’s Open de Espana and if he keeps that rolling, this precise ball-striker could make some early noise in India." Hebert’s stats back up the optimism: 14th in approach and 40th in driving accuracy this season. His best finish in India came earlier this year with a 17th place at the Indian Open, and his ability to go low is never in doubt after closing with a 65 at St Andrews two starts ago.
But perhaps the most compelling storyline belongs to local hero Yuvraj Sandhu. The top-ranked player on the Professional Golf Tour of India in 2025, Sandhu has racked up four wins and an eye-catching record at Delhi Golf Club, including multiple top-five finishes. He’s a crowd favorite for good reason, having opened recent tournaments with rounds of 61 and 63 to seize first-round leads. "He held the first-round lead in each of these recent victories, opening with a nine-under 61 in the Mysuru Open, and an eight-under 63 in the PGTI Players Championship," Worsley points out. Sandhu’s strong driving and greens-in-regulation stats (2nd on the PGTI) make him a real threat to thrill the home fans and shake up the leaderboard early.
Of course, with such a deep and talented field, the drama hardly stops there. The full tee sheet reads like a who’s who of international golf, with players like Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, and Tommy Fleetwood all set to challenge for the title. Fleetwood, the reigning FedEx Cup champion, is eager to add another trophy to his collection, while Lowry’s steady hand and major-winning experience could prove invaluable on Delhi’s classic layout. And don’t sleep on Michael Kim or Brian Harman—both have shown the ability to go low in big moments, and the unique challenges of the Delhi Golf Club may suit their games perfectly.
The opening round’s tee times are spread across two waves, with the likes of McIlroy, Hovland, and Ben Griffin teeing off at 9:55 p.m. ET from the 10th, and Sandhu paired with Pierre Pineau and Callum Tarren at 10:25 p.m. ET from the 1st. With such a stacked lineup, there’s sure to be fireworks from the very first shot.
As the 2025 DP World India Championship gets underway, anticipation is sky-high. Will McIlroy’s remarkable run continue? Can a local hero like Sandhu rise to the occasion? Or will an outsider like Van Driel or Hebert steal the early headlines? With perfect weather, a world-class field, and millions on the line, Delhi is set for a golf spectacle that promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats all weekend long.
Stay tuned as the world’s best battle for glory, and keep an eye out for those surprise contenders who just might light up the leaderboard at Delhi Golf Club. The stage is set, the players are ready, and the 2025 DP World India Championship is officially underway.
