McIlroy hits back at Kisner's India fee jibe as Chacarra wins in Delhi

Rory McIlroy has hit back at Kevin Kisner over the American's claim that he travelled to India for a large appearance fee, in a row that overshadowed the DP World India Championship, won on Sunday, 18 October 2026, by Spain's Eugenio Chacarra. Kisner said on a golf podcast that McIlroy's talk of growing the game was not the real reason for his trip and that he was in New Delhi for a fee of about 10 million dollars. Asked about it, McIlroy said "two things can be true at the same time": players can be paid to appear and still have a genuine interest in bringing golf to a developing market, and he described India as a huge partner for the sport. On the course, Chacarra shot a closing 70 at Delhi Golf Club to finish 21 under par, two shots clear of New Zealand's Daniel Hillier, for his third win of 2026. McIlroy closed with a 74 and tied for 42nd. Anirban Lahiri was the best-placed Indian, tied for 23rd at eight under.

For Indian golf, the DP World India Championship is a showpiece: a full European tour event in New Delhi with some of the biggest names in the game. Having McIlroy in the field brought global attention, and that is exactly why Kisner's comments stung. His point was that star players are paid large sums to turn up at new events and that talk of growing the sport is a cover. McIlroy's answer was that both can be true, and that paid appearances can still help a developing golf market.

The argument is an old one in sport. Promoters in new markets pay stars because their presence sells tickets, draws sponsors and gets young people interested. Critics say it turns tournaments into exhibitions. For India, the evidence will be in what comes next: whether more children take up golf, whether more courses open to the public, and whether more Indian players earn their way onto the world's top tours.

The result itself was a strong one for Chacarra. A round of 63 on Saturday put him in control, and a steady 70 on Sunday was enough to hold off Hillier. With the win he moved to the top of the Race to Dubai with the season's final events still to come, a sign of a breakthrough year.

For Indian fans, Lahiri's finish was the bright spot. After rounds of 70, 73 and 69, he closed with a bogey-free 68 to finish as the leading Indian. His tie for 23rd matched the finish of Patrick Reed and put him well ahead of McIlroy.

Short-term: Chacarra heads into the end of the season as the Race to Dubai leader. The McIlroy-Kisner exchange will keep the debate over appearance fees in the headlines.

Long-term: India's place on the DP World Tour schedule depends on sponsors and on whether the event keeps attracting top players. Strong showings by Indian golfers such as Lahiri strengthen the case that the event helps the domestic game.

Who is affected: Indian golfers and fans; the DP World Tour and its sponsors; McIlroy, Kisner and the wider debate over paid appearances; and young players in India hoping to follow Lahiri onto international tours.

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