DP World India Championship: Norgaard takes lead on a rain-hit opening day

Danish golfer Niklas Norgaard sprang a surprise to take the sole lead on the opening day of the DP World India Championship at the Delhi Golf Club on Thursday.

On a rain-affected day, nearly five hours of play were lost. Norgaard, however, navigated the challenging conditions well to card an impressive six-under-par 66 to climb to the top of the leaderboard.

Norgaard went for broke in the first hole. After a pinpoint tee shot, he followed up with an impressive approach and sank a six-foot putt to return an eagle. The 34-year-old, who started on the back nine, explained his aggressive approach. “I hit a five-iron off the tee. As I walked up, I thought I had played a little too conservatively before, so I wanted to just go for it.”

Norgaard finished the round with two straight birdies.

Fan favourite Rory McIlroy had an uneventful round, shooting a two-under-par 70 to lie tied 13th. The lengthy rain delay appeared to disrupt McIlroy’s rhythm. The Northern Irishman returned to his hotel during the break before making his way back to the course when the rain subsided.

“It took me a little while to get going again,” McIlroy said.

The six-time Major champion was not overly concerned about his position. “The leaders have not gotten too far ahead. There is a lot of golf left,” he added.

McIlroy’s chief rival in the Race to Dubai, Eugenio Chacarra, fared better, moving into a tied second place with a five-under-par 67.

Chacarra held the outright lead heading into the ninth and final hole, but a late bogey — caused by pulling his tee shot left into the unforgiving rough — derailed his charge.

Second in the Race to Dubai standings, the Spaniard is also managing pain after breaking a toe a couple of weeks ago. “I’m still taking some medicines, but I’m feeling better every day,” he said.

It was a great day for Om Prakash Chouhan, who carded a four-under-par 68 to emerge as the best-performing Indian. “I had just one simple plan today — do not miss the fairway,” the experienced professional said.

For the 12 players who did not get to tee off, a long day of 36 holes awaits on Friday.

The scores (top five): Niklas Norgaard 66; Tom McKibbin, Thomas Detry, Eugenio Chacarra 67; Scott Jamieson, Ewen Ferguson, Robert Macintyre, Om Prakash Chouhan, Marcus Armitage, Adrian Meronk 68.