Rory McIlroy is set to reunite with a fierce Team USA Ryder Cup rival for the opening two rounds of the DP World India Championship.
The Northern Irishman has been paired with Ben Griffin for the opening 36-holes at Delhi Golf Club, with an awkward and fiery encounter expected.
Rory McIlroy Set For Fiery Team USA Ryder Cup Renewal
Five-time major champion Rory McIlroy is set to renew his rivalry with Team USA Ryder Cup rival Ben Griffin at the inaugural DP World India Championship.
McIlroy helped improve Europe’s Ryder Cup record when playing in America last month as they defeated Keegan Bradley’s Team USA 15-13 to win the 45th Ryder Cup.
The Northern Irishman of course played a big part in that victory, and is set to tee it up for the first time since Bethpage Black this week at Delhi Golf Club in India.
With the DP World India Championship tee times now officially announced, it has been confirmed that McIlroy will be joined by American rival Griffin and European teammate Viktor Hovland for the opening two rounds.
The two victorious European’s will play their opening 36-holes alongside Griffin, who was part of Keegan Bradley’s losing American side at Bethpage Black last month at the 45th Ryder Cup.
McIlroy’s Ryder Cup record improved thanks to securing 3.5 points in New York for the Europeans. Griffin contributed one point to Team USA, winning his Sunday singles match against Rasmus Hojgaard.
The trio will play alongside each other for the opening two rounds, making for an interesting, awkward and potentially fiery encounter.
There was a hostile crowd at the 45th Ryder Cup, particularly for McIlroy who dealt with a lot of verbal abuse in New York. Now, he will be forced to spend plenty of time with one of his Ryder Cup rivals in Ben Griffin on Thursday and Friday.
McIlroy left his America home after the abuse he received at the Ryder Cup, and may well not feature as much on the PGA Tour next season as a result.
Striped 🤩#DPWIC pic.twitter.com/SCu2qcR4SB
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) October 15, 2025
What Time Is McIlroy Teeing Off At?
Rory McIlroy’s next tournament is here as he tees it up as the pre-tournament favourite at the DP World India Championship at Delhi Golf Club.
As previously mentioned, the Northern Irishman has been grouped alongside European Ryder Cup teammate Viktor Hovland and Team USA rival Ben Griffin.
They will begin their first round at 7.25am local time (2.55am BST), with Round 2 getting underway at 12.10pm local time (7.40am BST) on Friday.
Should he make the half-way cut, McIlroy will then be in a two-ball with the player placed next to him on the leaderboard after 36-holes.
Rory McIlroy talks about what he wants to next time he comes to India… 🏏🇮🇳#DPWIC pic.twitter.com/St3SGVifxP
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) October 15, 2025
Are Any Other Ryder Cup Players In Action At DP World India Championship?
Alongside the three-ball of career Grand Slam winner Rory McIlroy, former FedEx Cup champion Viktor Hovland and Ben Griffin, there are just two more players in action who also played at the 45th Ryder Cup in New York.
The first of those is Shane Lowry, who sank the vital putt for Luke Donald’s side to ensure the retained the Ryder Cup.
Lowry will tee it up at the DP World India Championship for the very first time, and is grouped with fellow Ryder Cup star Tommy Fleetwood.
SportsCasting are backing Fleetwood for success in our DP World India Championship betting tips, and he will be joined by Lowry and Ryder Cup captain Donald in the process.
This makes McIlroy, Lowry, Fleetwood and Griffin the only four players from the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black who are in action this week.
Donald was of course captain and didn’t play, with his vice-captain Alex Noren also in action in New Delhi.
