Rory McIlroy has hit back at a rival’s claim his appearance at the India Championship was solely motivated by money, after a poor finish saw the Northern Irishman slide to 42nd in New Delhi.
Red-hot Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra won his fourth DP World Tour title on Sunday with a two-shot victory in the weather-hit tournament.
Chacarra, who won the Dutch Open and the Open d’Italia in June and Indian Open last year, finished on 21-under and moves to the top of the Race to Dubai rankings.
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He overtook the American Patrick Reed, who finished on eight-under at Delhi Golf Club, while six-time major champion McIlroy finished tied 42nd at four-under.
However, the two-time reigning Masters Champion has been the premier drawcard throughout, though his appearance in India was criticised by Team USA Ryder Cup vice-captain Kevin Kisner.
“He doesn’t want to globally expand in India, he wants to get his $10 million and go play in India,” Kisner told the Fore Play Podcast last week.
“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?
“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.”
When asked about the comments by a reporter following the final day in New Delhi, McIlroy questioned the validity of Kisner’s comments.
“I don’t know why me being in India would make ‘Kis’ need to comment,” he said.
“How would he know that (if his appearance fee was $10 million)?”
McIlroy remained adamant India is a “huge market for golf” worth investing in and travelling to, saying Kisner’s financial argument and the Northern Irishman’s previous calls for a “global schedule” aren’t mutually exclusive.
“Two things can be true at the same time,” he said.
“People can get paid to come and play at a tournament, but at the same time, do it from a place of genuine interest in 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.”
The 26-year-old Chacarra carded a final-round two-under-par 70 and pumped his fist to celebrate his third win on the European tour this season.
“I know it’s not going to be easy,” Chacarra said of his Race to Dubai chances.
“Rory in Dubai always plays good and I know it’s going to be a big battle. Patrick, too. Two of the best players in the world coming for me now, and I know they’re not going to make it easy.”
A teary-eyed Chacarra dedicated the win to his grandfather, who died 10 days earlier, saying: “He is watching me somewhere from up there.”
Chacarra’s recent form has been impressive.
In his previous two tournaments he was tied second at the Open de Espana and third at the FedEx Open de France.
New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier was second on 19-under in the Indian capital and Chacarra’s fellow Spaniard Angel Hidalgo and Poland’s Adrian Meronk were tied third on 15-under.
England’s Tommy Fleetwood, the defending champion, finished tied fifth at 13-under.
With the tournament playing catch-up, Chacarra, who broke his toe a couple of weeks ago and overcame a neck problem, completed his third round in the morning to extend his sole lead.
He carded a nine-under-par 63 and kept up the charge in the final round with three birdies against one bogey.
“Last week it was really tough (broken toe), but this week doing all the ice and taking all the medications was better,” said Chacarra.
“But my neck was just a bad position at night on Monday. My physio did a great job and made me compete.
“And playing at less than 100 per cent and to be able to win against this field gives me great motivation.”
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