New Zealand’s Ryan Fox and Daniel Hillier face a busy Friday at the DP World India Championship after severe thunderstorms brought the opening day to a premature end, leaving both Kiwis one over par with most of their first rounds still to play.
The two New Zealanders were among the players hardest hit by Thursday’s weather disruptions at Delhi Golf Club, where thunder, lightning and heavy rain forced a suspension lasting nearly five hours.
Fox and Hillier finished the day provisionally tied for 71st at one over par, seven shots behind Denmark’s Niklas Nørgaard, who completed a superb six-under-par 66 to take the clubhouse lead.
However, with neither Kiwi even reaching the halfway point of their opening round, there remains plenty of opportunity to climb the leaderboard when play resumes on Friday.
Fox’s Driver-Free Strategy Faces Early Test
Ryan Fox managed just four holes before darkness halted play, leaving the Aucklander at one over par with 14 holes still to complete.
The Kiwi, currently sixth in the Race to Dubai standings, is competing at Delhi Golf Club with an unusual strategy, having elected to leave his driver out of the bag entirely.
Known for his powerful driving, Fox has instead turned to long irons to negotiate the notoriously narrow, tree-lined fairways of the historic Indian layout.
The course places a premium on accuracy rather than distance, with even the slightest mistake off the tee capable of proving costly.
Fox began his tournament alongside Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed and England’s Aaron Rai, but the afternoon group barely had an opportunity to establish a rhythm following the lengthy weather interruption.
His opening four holes leave him seven strokes behind the clubhouse leader, although with 14 holes remaining, his first-round position could change considerably.
Hillier’s PGA Tour Card Chase Continues
For Daniel Hillier, the disrupted opening day adds another challenge to an increasingly important stretch of the DP World Tour season.
The Wellington golfer completed six holes before play was abandoned for the day, sitting one over par and tied with Fox in 71st position.
Hillier entered the tournament holding 10th position in the DP World Tour’s PGA Tour eligibility rankings, occupying the final provisional qualifying spot for one of the ten PGA Tour cards available to eligible players for the 2027 season.
With the Race to Dubai approaching its conclusion, every tournament carries significant importance for the 28-year-old.
A strong result in India could provide valuable breathing room in the qualification race, while a difficult week could leave him under pressure heading into the season’s remaining events.
For now, Hillier has 12 holes remaining in his opening round and plenty of opportunities to recover his position.
Nørgaard Leads as McIlroy and Fleetwood Stay in Contention
While the New Zealanders struggled to get their rounds underway, several of the tournament’s leading names took advantage of the limited playing time.
Denmark’s Niklas Nørgaard emerged as the clubhouse leader after producing a six-under-par 66, featuring an eagle and six birdies.
Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin, Spain’s Eugenio Chacarra and Belgium’s Thomas Detry sit one shot behind after matching rounds of 67.
Rory McIlroy and defending champion Tommy Fleetwood also completed their opening rounds, each signing for a two-under-par 70 to remain four strokes from the lead.
The contrasting fortunes highlight the impact of Thursday’s weather, with some players completing their entire rounds while others barely managed to begin.
A Long Friday Ahead for the Kiwis
Tournament organisers face a challenging schedule as they attempt to complete the delayed opening round before continuing with Friday’s second-round action.
For Fox and Hillier, the immediate priority will be finding momentum when they return to Delhi Golf Club.
Fox has 14 holes remaining, while Hillier has 12, giving both New Zealanders substantial opportunities to recover from their early one-over-par positions.
With the Race to Dubai entering its decisive stages and Hillier fighting for a coveted PGA Tour card, there is plenty at stake for both players.
The opening day may have belonged to the weather, but for New Zealand’s two representatives, the real battle in India is only just beginning.
Scores reflect the conclusion of Thursday’s weather-disrupted play, with the first round scheduled to resume on Friday 16 October.
