DP World Tour: Rory McIlroy steady in India as season’s “Worlds” schedule tightens toward Dubai finale

The DP World Tour’s new stop in New Delhi has tightened the late-season picture, with Rory McIlroy safely inside the top-20 after 36 holes and Tommy Fleetwood edging the field by a shot heading into the weekend. Shane Lowry is one back and surging, creating a heavyweight chase pack as the Tour barrels toward its two-event Play-Offs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai next month.

McIlroy’s position at the DP World India Championship

On a Delhi Golf Club layout that punishes drivers and rewards precision, McIlroy has leaned on irons and fairway woods to plot his way around the tree-lined corridors. Through two rounds he’s under par on the week, comfortably through the cut, and within striking distance if the leaders stall. The statistical pattern fits the course: fewer drivers, higher fairways-hit percentage, and stress transferred to mid-iron proximity and lag putting.

The atmosphere has been poignant as well. Several players have been competing with black ribbons in tribute to longtime caddie John “Scotchy” Graham, a respected presence inside the ropes whose passing was marked across practice days and into the opening rounds.

Lowry and Fleetwood set the pace

Lowry’s opening 64 signaled that low numbers are possible even with conservative tee shots, and his second-round 69 kept him in the slipstream. Fleetwood’s controlled aggression—picking spots to attack short par-4s and scorable par-5s—has him narrowly in front. With Delhi’s narrow targets and swirling breezes, volatility is likely over the final 36 holes: a single miss can mean punch-outs and big numbers, but streaky putters can erase deficits in a few holes.

Expect weekend pin positions to accentuate risk on front-edge and back-tier holes. If McIlroy’s proximity tightens and he converts from 10–20 feet, he remains a credible contender from the chasing wave.

DP World Tour “Worlds” schedule: what’s left in 2025 (subject to change)

The back end of the season compresses quickly from Asia to the Middle East. Here’s the at-a-glance run-in:

TV/stream timing guide: First tee times typically begin overnight in the U.S. (ET) for Asia/Middle East events, with prime-time afternoon finishing windows in the UK (BST/GMT). Exact broadcast windows vary by round.

What the run-in means for Rory McIlroy

• Race to Dubai stakes: McIlroy enters the final month targeting another season crown. A high finish in India would cushion him before the points-rich Play-Offs.

• Course fit ahead: Yas Links (Abu Dhabi) rewards high ball-flight and aggressive approach play—strengths for McIlroy—while the Earth Course (Dubai) has historically favored elite drivers who capitalize on par-5s.

• Form trend: The conservative setup in Delhi is a useful tune-up for approach and wedge sharpness that often decides titles in the Gulf.

Weekend storylines to watch on the DP World Tour

• Can precision outlast power? Delhi’s tight corridors have led multiple stars to bench the driver. Watch who keeps tee balls in position on the back-nine stretch, where run-offs punish overly bold lines.

• Lowry’s surge potential: His proximity numbers and par-5 scoring suggest a live push; if putts fall early on Saturday he could flip the lead.

• Fleetwood’s third-round pace: He’s been comfortable protecting slim cushions this fall. A tidy 68 would force everyone else into high-risk lines.

• McIlroy’s conversion rate: If the putter heats up inside 15 feet, he can compress a multi-shot deficit quickly.

What’s next if you’re following the “Worlds” arc

After India and Korea, the calendar shifts to the Middle East where the Play-Offs decide the season’s ultimate order. Fields contract from 70 to 50 across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, placing a premium on finishing positions and minimizing mistakes—especially on par-5s and reachable par-4s that anchor both venues.

McIlroy is exactly where he needs to be—alive on a tricky track, trending toward courses that historically suit him, and staring at a month where every birdie shapes the final table in Dubai. Lowry and Fleetwood have set a stern target, but with two pressure-laden weekends and the Play-Offs still ahead, the DP World Tour’s closing chapter remains very much in play.