NEW DELHI – Rory McIlroy has rejected Kevin Kisner’s assertion that his sole motivation for competing in the DP World India Championship was a substantial appearance fee.
McIlroy headlined an impressive field at Delhi Golf Club, with Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry and Patrick Reed among those making the journey. The six-time major champion endured a frustrating week on the course, carding a two-over-par 74 in his final round to finish at four under, well behind leader Eugenio Chacarra. It comes as McIlroy admitted LIV Golf has cost him friendships with Ryder Cup teammates
However, McIlroy, competing in the $4 million tournament for the second time, said he has embraced the experience in New Delhi and highlighted India’s significance to golf’s growth, despite Kisner’s criticism.
“I didn’t see that. I don’t know why me being in India would make Kis need to comment on that,” McIlroy told reporters when asked about Kisner’s remarks.
“Two things can be true at the same time. People can get paid to come and play at a tournament, but at the same time, do it from a place of a genuine interest of trying to bring the sport to another country, a developing country, a country where the middle class in India is larger than the whole population of the United States. It’s a huge market for golf.”, reports the Mirror US.
Four-time PGA Tour champion Kisner, currently NBC’s lead golf analyst, delivered the remarks on the ‘Fore Play Podcast,’ challenging McIlroy’s earlier statements about expanding the game in emerging markets. “That is such a dog s— comment, but I guess for the right price, we could all say that comment,” Kisner said.
“He doesn’t want to globally expand in India; he wants to get his $10 million bucks and go play in India. I know there’s a pile of guys that got paid for that event. How else would you get that event in India with eight billion people in the middle of the city?”.
“And Rory’s not even hitting a driver this week. You think he wants to go play a tournament where he can’t use his No. 1 weapon? So give me a break.”
Kisner continued: “They always seem to say the right things while they’re over there. As part of your appearance fee, ‘Here’s your script for altruism, and you need to mention these four lines in whatever interview you do throughout the week,’ which is totally fine, I’d do it too, and all of us on this podcast would.
“I just find it hilarious when you can pop up and play an event where Rory McIlroy can’t hit his driver, and all those guys show up, and nobody’s like, ‘Alright, this is stupid’, when they can go play the sickest course in the world, and none of them show up. It’s just very odd to me.”
McIlroy is scheduled to compete next month in Abu Dhabi for the start of the DP World Tour playoffs. He is pursuing a record-tying eighth Race to Dubai crown, though he faces a substantial challenge with Chacarra poised to establish a commanding advantage should he secure victory in New Delhi.
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