Niklas Nørgaard built an unlikely first-round lead at the DP World India Championship by succeeding without the club that usually defines his game.
One of the DP World Tour’s longest hitters, the Dane adjusted to Delhi Golf Club’s narrow corridors by prioritising placement over power. His six-under 66, completed with a birdie at the last, gave him a one-stroke clubhouse advantage after a weather-disrupted opening day.
Thunderstorms and lightning halted play for four hours and 50 minutes, with 24mm of rain falling on the course. Several groups were unable to complete their rounds before darkness.
Nørgaard avoided major errors and relied on controlled iron play and confident putting. The round continued a productive season in which he has twice finished tied second, including at the British Masters in August and the Alfred Dunhill Links earlier this month.
His rise has followed a long route through the Nordic Golf League and HotelPlanner Tour. After three victories on the Nordic circuit, he eventually claimed his maiden DP World Tour title at the 2024 British Masters aged 32.
Tom McKibbin, Thomas Detry and Eugenio Chacarra shared second place following rounds of 67. Chacarra had an opportunity to join Nørgaard at the top but bogeyed his closing hole.
The Spaniard’s latest strong start extended his affinity with India. Chacarra won the 2025 Hero Indian Open after entering on a sponsor invitation and finished runner-up in the tournament this season. He also arrived in Delhi following successive top-three performances in France and Spain.
Om Prakash Chouhan led the home challenge with a four-under 68, leaving him tied fifth and two strokes behind Nørgaard. Familiarity with Delhi Golf Club helped Chouhan keep the ball in position, while the rain-softened greens allowed him to attack more aggressively after play resumed.
Saptak Talwar was the next-best Indian after opening with a one-under 71, placing him tied 29th.
Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy began with matching 70s to share 13th place.
Shubhankar Sharma, Anirban Lahiri, Shiv Kapur, Ajeetesh Sandhu and Sachin Baisoya were among the Indians unable to finish, while Karandeep Kochhar had yet to begin his round when darkness ended play.
Photo – Getty Images for the DP World India Championship
