Rory McIlroy’s encore, Tommy Fleetwood’s own opera: Golf’s big stage awaits

NEW DELHI: Race To Dubai leader Patrick Reed saw a monkey running across the fairway at No. 13. “Never seen that,” he said, grinning after the Wednesday Pro-Am outing at the India Championship.The teeming wildlife at Delhi Golf Club was there to keep him company, because for all the kids and their parents, all roads lead to the 18th, where Rory McIlroy’s bobbing figure emerged. The six-time Major winner broke into childlike laughter, clearly enjoying the day as he glowed in the afternoon sun.The round done, everyone was scrambling to get a piece of the World No. 2. Left profile, right, front, selfies clicked, and caps signed until he was whisked away in a buggy.The serious stuff begins on Thursday. There is a tournament to be won, and the race is on as the golfers see the $4 million WIC as an approach shot to the business end of the ‘Back 9’ series.The goalposts change. Rory, whose childhood dream was to “win all four Majors and be the best in the world” has ticked his boxes. Now, the focus is on equalling Colin Montgomerie’s record of claiming eight European Order of Merit titles.“Eugenio (Chacarra) jumped over me to second place last week in Spain. With Patrick missing the cut last week, I think this is really a good opportunity this week to cut into that lead and head to the Middle East in a really good spot.”Eye on the prize for now, but there’s plenty ahead for the 37-yearold who seemed to have conquered all his demons, having won the Masters twice in a row “Obviously the Majors will always be important. I want to make the Ryder Cup team.”“A lot of plates spinning,” the global golfer admitted. “There’s international golf, but obviously the bulk of my play is in America.”With his stature, comes a lot of responsibility too. Taking time out to meet Asian Games women’s golf gold medallist Pranavi Urs, who had said Rory’s resilience inspired her in Japan, was his pleasure.But if one was a junior golfer visiting DGC this week, who should they watch? He points to others. “If it’s a golfer’s prep, practice, diligence, work ethic, everything that he does off the course, it would be Aaron Rai,” he spoke glowingly of the PGA Championship winner.And then there’s Tommy Fleetwood, the defending champion, with whom he will be teeing off in the morning. “I always love watching Tommy hit balls in practice.”Sweet, mild-mannered Tommy had conducted his own rock opera in his hometown of Southport during this year’s Open Championship. “I was achieving a dream that I had as a seven-year-old boy at that very golf course. It was like having your own concert,” said the man from the Liverpool suburbs, who had finished tied-4th.It did not reach that crescendo, but he will always be grateful. “Not everybody gets those moments and those experiences.”Last year, he celebrated on the closing greens of DGC with his son Frankie, another emotional high. The eight-year-old is here. Will he be the good luck charm again?Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.