Rory McIlroy has fired back at Kevin Kisner’s claim that he only played the DP World India Championship for the appearance fee. McIlroy was asked about Kisner’s comments after finishing T42 at Delhi Golf Club on Sunday.
“I didn’t see that. I don’t know why me being in India would make Kis need to comment on it,” McIlroy said.
When told Kisner believes he was there for the money and not to grow the game, McIlroy pushed back.
“How would he know that?” McIlroy said. “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, you know, 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.”
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McIlroy said the trip was worth it despite his finish.
“Overall it’s been a wonderful week,” McIlroy said. “India is a really important market for golf going forward and it’s only going to keep growing. It’s important that we come here, and I thought this week was another step in the right direction for golf in India and international golf as a whole.”
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Kisner made his comments earlier in the week on the Fore Play podcast. The four-time PGA Tour winner said the money is what got McIlroy to Delhi.
“That is such a dog shit 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.”
Kisner also pointed to the rest of the field and the course setup.
“I know there’s a pile of guys that got paid for that event,” Kisner said. “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 number one weapon? So give me a break.”
Kisner said he’d do the same thing in McIlroy’s position. His problem was with how the trips get framed.
“They always seem to say the right things while they’re over there,” Kisner said. “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’, whenever they can go play the sickest course in the world, and none of them show up,” Kisner added. “It’s just very odd to me.”
Fore Play co-host Riggs agreed.
“The whole thing’s an appearance,” Riggs said. “Obviously they’re getting paid to be there and good for them. I wouldn’t say no to that, you know, for sure. I understand it. But it is funny when it gets painted as like this altruistic move to grow the game in another part of the world. I laugh at that every time.”
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The comment Kisner reacted to came in April, when the DP World Tour announced McIlroy’s return to Delhi. He played the inaugural edition of the event last year and finished T26.
“I’ve always enjoyed playing a global schedule so I was excited to visit India for the first time last season to be part of the inaugural DP World India Championship,” McIlroy said. “The golf fans in India were so welcoming, and the whole experience was truly memorable, so it’s a pleasure to be returning to Delhi in October.”
McIlroy left his driver out of the bag again at the narrow, 6,912-yard layout. He explained the decision before the tournament.
“It’s definitely a different golf course than what we’re used to playing. It doesn’t offer you a lot of room off the tee,” McIlroy said. “I’m here to win the tournament. I’m not here to hit drivers. I think the best chance will be by keeping the driver in the bag or in the hotel room so I’m not even attempting to hit it.”
McIlroy was also named a global ambassador for DP World during the week. His appearance fee for the event has not been disclosed.
Eugenio Chacarra won the tournament at 21 under, two shots ahead of Daniel Hillier, for his third win of the season. McIlroy closed with a 74 to finish at 4 under. The win moved Chacarra to the top of the Race to Dubai, with McIlroy now third behind Chacarra and Patrick Reed.
“Eugenio is playing well. Looks like he’s going to overtake Patrick in the race for Dubai,” McIlroy said. “That makes my job a bit harder going into the last two events.”
