“Obviously he enjoys a good curry” - Anirban Lahiri on why arrival of curry-loving McIlroy is a big boost to Indian golf
Rory McIlroy of Team Europe hits his tee shot on the first hole on the Black Course during the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York. (Photo by Michael Reaves/PGA of America)
Rory McIlroy makes his first appearance in India in the DP World India Championship this week and local legend Anirban Lahiri reckons the Masters champion will be taking the chance to indulge his love of curry.
The LIV Golf star, who has won four times at Delhi Golf Club, explained ahead of the $4 million event that McIlroy is a big fan of India’s most popular culinary export.
“I mean, he's Irish, and most people from that part of the world get exposed to curries,” said Lahiri, who revealed that McIlroy and his wife Erica asked him for a masterclass in the art of cooking a proper curry a few years ago.
“I wouldn't call them Indian by any stretch of the imagination. I think we had just hosted a few of our friends in West Palm: Camilo and Jamie Lovemark and Keegan and a lot of them when I was living there.
“And obviously, word got out that the curry was amazing, so I'm sure they would have heard.
“Rory and I used to play and practise at the Bear's Club, so one of those days he's hitting balls and I'm hitting balls, and he came up to me because obviously he enjoys a good curry. I'm sure he'll get his fill this week.”
McIlroy is joined in Delhi by fellow European Ryder Cup stars Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland, European captain Luke Donald and US stars such as Ben Griffin and former Open winner Brian Harman.
“It's a significant moment,” Lahiri said of what the event means for Indian golf. "Because he's a future Hall of Famer for sure. He's here, he's embracing this event in our country, and the scene is perfect.
“We're playing DGC; it's a historic golf course. I'm very happy to be here, to be a part of it.”
He added, “I think this is a star-studded field. It's amazing to have so many Ryder Cup stars, Rory, Tommy, especially the year that Tommy has won the FedEx Cup, Rory has won the Grand Slam. You've got Viktor, you've got so many stars this week.”
After the likes of Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau played a LIV Golf event in India earlier this year, Lahiri believes this week’s event will help inspire the next generation of Indian stars.
“I think it's been a landmark year for golf aficionados in India,” he said. “We have so many stars. We had a few earlier in the year at DLF, and now we have so many here this week. “I think it's been a feast for the youngsters, for the next generation. I think there's going to be a massive buzz come tomorrow, and patrons are going to be loud on the golf course.
“I'm really excited, and like I said, this is a great sign, and hopefully we can continue to have fantastic supporters of golf like DP World who can keep bringing such amazing fields to such iconic golf courses. “It all bodes well for the next generation of golfers to see their idols, to see their stars live in action, to hear the ball, see the ball fly and feel excitement.
“I think it's all a very important part of being inspired, a very important part of motivating the next batch of superstars from India.”
McIlroy will play early on Thursday with Hovland and Griffin as he continues his bid for a seventh Race to Dubai title.
Lowry, who needs a top two finish to make the DP World Tour Playoffs, plays with Fleetwood and Donald, while Conor Purcell, who needs a top five to keep his card, is drawn with Jens Danthorp and Ross Fisher.
