Tom McKibbin one shot off lead at DP World India Championship in Delhi as Rory McIlroy also in contention after weather-hit opening round
Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin is one shot off the lead after a weather disrupted opening day at the DP World India Championship, with compatriot Rory McIlroy also in contention.
Niklas Norgaard of Denmark is the early leader by one after shooting a six-under 66, but a raft of players were still to finish when play ended for the day.
McKibbin, Belgian Thomas Detry and Spain’s Eugenio Chacarra are all on five under after signing for 67s following their opening rounds.
World number two McIlroy, who is bidding to win the Race to Dubai title for a record-equalling eighth time, completed a two-under-par 70 after a five-hour delay caused by torrential rain in New Delhi.
McIlroy was third in the DP World Tour standings coming into this penultimate event before the play-offs.
Leader Patrick Reed was two over having played just four holes of his opening round while second-placed Chacarra was one of three players just behind Norgaard on five under.
McIlroy, who had four birdies on his card against two bogeys, feels he is well placed in terms of both the tournament and the race for the overall title.
He told Sky Sports: “I hit the ball pretty well for the most part. I missed a few putts early on, got it going a little bit around the middle, and then maybe missed a couple of opportunities when we came back out after the delay.
“So overall, it felt like it could have been a couple better, but still a solid start.
“Eugenio got off to a good start, Patrick’s probably only going to play a few holes, but I have to concentrate on myself.
“I know a good week here will set me up well for the last two weeks in the Middle East. I don’t need to be leading going into the last two weeks but if I can just eat into that lead a little bit, I feel like I’ll have a really good chance in those final two events.”
McIlroy revealed he stayed in tune by practising his swing in his hotel room during the long stoppage.
He said: “You’re always just trying to maintain what you have, trying to work on your swing a little bit. I’ve got three or four training aids in the room and a couple of different weighted clubs and you’re always just trying to get it into that right spot.”
The Scottish trio of Robert MacIntyre, Ewen Ferguson and Scott Jamieson were on four under, as was Englishman Marcus Armitage.
Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood had to settle for a two-under 70 after a double bogey on the last.
Justin Rose and Luke Donald finished level par while Ireland’s Shane Lowry was three over.