The DP World India Championship at Delhi Golf Club has turned into a marathon, with Angel Hidalgo, Adrian Meronk, Joost Luiten and Thomas Detry sharing the lead at eight-under after a rain-ravaged opening stretch that forced some players to tackle more than 30 holes in a single day.
A congested leaderboard
Five hours of play were lost to heavy rain on Thursday, and Friday became a test of endurance. Dutchman Joost Luiten played 34 holes on Friday to card an eight-under 136, while Meronk and Hidalgo each played 32 holes to join him at the top. Belgium's Thomas Detry completed the four-way tie, returning three-under over the six holes he played on Friday.
Luiten, a six-time winner on the European Tour, squandered the chance to take the sole lead on his penultimate hole. He found the rough, then a greenside bunker, then the rough again, before missing a three-foot putt to card a double bogey. The 40-year-old admitted afterwards that the long day and tiredness got to him at the end.
McIlroy lurking
Six-time Major champion Rory McIlroy, bidding to win the Race to Dubai title for a record-equalling eighth time, sits tied-17th at four-under overall after playing just four holes. He provided the highlight of his brief spell on the course, sinking an eight-foot putt for an eagle on the first hole.
Spain's Hidalgo has already improved on his showing at this event last year, when he missed the cut. His putting and approach play were particularly effective as he climbed seven places. Meronk was the most consistent player on show and came close to completing two bogey-free rounds; his only blemish was a missed eight-foot putt on the final hole.
Indian hopes
Om Prakash Chouhan, who parred both holes he played, remains the leading Indian at four-under overall, tied-17th. Anirban Lahiri sits tied-46th after rounds of 70 and 73. Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed carded a three-under 69 to climb 39 places to tied-59th.
Sources:
- DP World India Championship: Hidalgo, Meronk, Luiten share lead — Sportstar
- Hidalgo, Meronk, Luiten and Detry share the lead — The Hindu
A congested leaderboard
Five hours of play were lost to heavy rain on Thursday, and Friday became a test of endurance. Dutchman Joost Luiten played 34 holes on Friday to card an eight-under 136, while Meronk and Hidalgo each played 32 holes to join him at the top. Belgium's Thomas Detry completed the four-way tie, returning three-under over the six holes he played on Friday.
Luiten, a six-time winner on the European Tour, squandered the chance to take the sole lead on his penultimate hole. He found the rough, then a greenside bunker, then the rough again, before missing a three-foot putt to card a double bogey. The 40-year-old admitted afterwards that the long day and tiredness got to him at the end.
McIlroy lurking
Six-time Major champion Rory McIlroy, bidding to win the Race to Dubai title for a record-equalling eighth time, sits tied-17th at four-under overall after playing just four holes. He provided the highlight of his brief spell on the course, sinking an eight-foot putt for an eagle on the first hole.
Spain's Hidalgo has already improved on his showing at this event last year, when he missed the cut. His putting and approach play were particularly effective as he climbed seven places. Meronk was the most consistent player on show and came close to completing two bogey-free rounds; his only blemish was a missed eight-foot putt on the final hole.
Indian hopes
Om Prakash Chouhan, who parred both holes he played, remains the leading Indian at four-under overall, tied-17th. Anirban Lahiri sits tied-46th after rounds of 70 and 73. Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed carded a three-under 69 to climb 39 places to tied-59th.
Sources:
- DP World India Championship: Hidalgo, Meronk, Luiten share lead — Sportstar
- Hidalgo, Meronk, Luiten and Detry share the lead — The Hindu
