NEW DELHI, Oct 16: Spain’s Angel Hidalgo, the Netherlands’ Joost Luiten and Poland’s Adrian Meronk shared the clubhouse lead at eight under par after the second day of the weather affected DP World India Championship at Delhi Golf Club on Friday.
The $4 million tournament faced significant scheduling difficulties after nearly five hours of play were lost to storms on the opening day. The disruption forced several golfers to complete extended schedules on Friday, with some playing as many as 36 holes in an effort to bring the competition back on track.
Luiten completed 34 holes during the day, carding successive rounds of 68 to reach eight-under par. Hidalgo also posted rounds of 68, while Meronk followed his opening round 67 with a 69 to join the leading pair.
Belgium’s Thomas Detry was also at eight-under after beginning his second round strongly, but he had completed only six holes when fading light forced the suspension of play. With a substantial portion of the field still on the course, the leaderboard remained provisional heading into Saturday.
India’s Om Prakash Chouhan was the highest placed home golfer, sitting provisionally tied for 17th at four-under par after opening with a 68. His second round remained incomplete when play was suspended. <Cite refs={[“turn183506search0″,”turn183506search1″,”turn183506search3”]}/>
Weather disruption creates a demanding schedule
The championship’s opening two days were shaped by conditions that made it difficult for organisers to maintain the original schedule.
A lengthy storm interruption on Thursday delayed the first round, leaving a large portion of the field to complete its opening 18 holes on Friday. As a result, several players faced the additional challenge of beginning their second rounds after an already demanding day.
Although conditions improved on Friday, the backlog could not be cleared before darkness brought play to a halt. More than half the field had yet to complete the second round, while 12 players had not started it.
The revised schedule increased the physical and mental demands on competitors. Golfers had to maintain concentration over an extended period, manage their energy and adapt their strategies to the changing timetable.
Unlike competitions in which players complete one round per day, a delayed tournament can require athletes to return to the course with limited recovery time. Maintaining accuracy with the driver, controlling approach shots and judging putting speed become increasingly important as fatigue sets in.
The disruption also complicated the task of assessing the leaderboard. Several players had completed two rounds, while others had played only a handful of holes in the second round. Their relative positions could therefore change substantially once the outstanding holes were completed.
Luiten maintains consistency through a long day
Luiten’s performance stood out because of the amount of golf he completed while remaining in contention for the title.
The Dutchman recorded two rounds of 68, producing a total of eight-under par. His steady play kept him among the leaders despite the demanding schedule.
Luiten briefly reached nine-under following a sequence of birdies, but a double bogey at the eighth hole interrupted his progress. He responded with a birdie on the ninth to limit the damage and finish the day level with Hidalgo and Meronk.
The recovery was important in a tournament where a single poor hole could quickly affect a player’s position. Rather than allowing the double bogey to derail his round, Luiten regained some momentum and maintained his place at the top.
He acknowledged that the long day had taken a toll towards the end of his round. Nevertheless, his ability to recover immediately after losing shots reflected the consistency required to compete over four rounds.
Luiten’s performance also demonstrated the value of managing risk on a demanding course. Players must decide when to attack a pin and when to prioritise placing the ball safely on the green, especially when fatigue can increase the likelihood of mistakes.
With the tournament still behind schedule, his experience could prove useful as the field prepares for the remaining rounds.
Hidalgo builds on recent strong form
Hidalgo matched Luiten’s eight-under total after recording consecutive rounds of 68.
The Spaniard produced a series of birdies during his second round and remained competitive despite the physical demands of playing 31 holes across the day.
Hidalgo had recently finished runner-up at the FedEx Open de France, a result that helped secure his place in the DP World Tour Play-Offs. His performance in Delhi suggested that he had carried that form into another important tournament.
The golfer said he was pleased with his play, particularly given the tight nature of Delhi Golf Club and the number of holes he had completed.
The course requires careful placement because tree-lined fairways can restrict recovery options when a shot misses its intended line. Players must combine distance with accuracy, choosing targets that provide the best opportunity to approach the greens without taking unnecessary risks.
Hidalgo’s consistent scoring allowed him to remain near the top despite the disruption. His challenge over the weekend will be to sustain that precision as the competition moves towards its concluding stages.
The Spaniard will also need to manage the pressure of sharing the lead. With several experienced players close behind, even a small mistake could alter the standings.
Meronk continues impressive late-season run
Meronk entered the championship following a victory at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, and his performance in Delhi extended his strong late-season form.
The Polish golfer had been in an excellent position after making several birdies during the opening round. He completed the first round with a 67 before returning a 69 in the second to reach eight-under par.
Meronk briefly held the outright lead during Friday’s play. However, he dropped a shot on his final hole, leaving him level with Hidalgo and Luiten.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on a sole lead, his overall position remained strong. His ability to maintain a competitive score after completing an extended schedule showed why he remains one of the golfers to watch as the tournament progresses.
Meronk said he was satisfied with much of his play, even though the bogey on the final hole was frustrating.
His recent victory could provide additional confidence, but repeating that success will require him to maintain his accuracy and avoid costly errors during the final rounds.
The congested leaderboard also means that players cannot focus exclusively on the golfers immediately ahead of them. With several competitors still completing their second rounds, the eventual cut and weekend standings remained uncertain.
Detry threatens the leading trio
Detry’s unfinished second round placed him in a strong position to challenge the three golfers at the top.
The Belgian made birdies on three of his first six holes in the second round, bringing his overall score to eight-under par. However, fading light prevented him from completing the round alongside the clubhouse leaders.
His progress underlined the importance of finishing strongly when conditions allow. A player who begins a round with consecutive birdies can quickly move into contention, particularly on a course where accurate approach shots create opportunities to score.
Detry will have to complete his remaining holes before his position can be compared fully with those who have already finished two rounds.
The extended schedule could also influence his preparation for the next stage of the competition. Players must balance the need to finish their outstanding holes with the importance of recovering before the next full round.
With the leaderboard still incomplete, Detry remained a serious contender rather than merely an outsider chasing the leaders.
Chouhan leads the Indian challenge
Chouhan emerged as India’s best-placed golfer after opening with a four-under-par 68.
The Indian golfer, who earned an opportunity to compete on the DP World Tour in 2024 after topping the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India Order of Merit in 2023, remained tied for 17th when play was suspended.
He had completed only two holes of his second round, making par on both. His position was therefore provisional, with the possibility of moving up or down the standings once he resumed play.
Chouhan’s opening round gave him a solid foundation from which to pursue a higher finish. Remaining competitive against an international field featuring established tour professionals would require him to maintain the accuracy and consistency that had helped him start well.
For Indian golfers, competing in a tournament of this scale provides valuable exposure to international standards and offers an opportunity to measure their performance against players from different backgrounds.
The home contingent will be looking to make the most of local familiarity while handling the pressure associated with competing in front of domestic spectators.
Chouhan’s immediate priority will be to complete the second round efficiently and remain within reach of the leading group.
Lahiri and Talwar remain in contention
Anirban Lahiri and Saptak Talwar were also among the Indian players seeking to make progress as the tournament continued.
Lahiri, a two-time winner on the DP World Tour, recorded rounds of 70 and 73 to sit tied for 46th. Talwar opened with a 71 and was level par through seven holes of his second round when play stopped.
Both players faced the challenge of completing their outstanding holes before turning their attention to the next round.
Lahiri’s experience at international tournaments could prove valuable as he looks to improve his position. Talwar, meanwhile, will aim to make the most of the remaining holes and move closer to the cut line.
The tournament’s schedule makes patience particularly important. Players cannot afford to become overly aggressive simply because they are behind the leaders, especially when a poorly executed shot can result in a double bogey or worse.
Consistent play and careful course management will be essential for those hoping to remain in contention over the weekend.
McIlroy and Fleetwood face a race against time
Rory McIlroy and defending champion Tommy Fleetwood were among the prominent names still working through their second rounds when play was suspended.
The pair had completed four holes and stood at four-under par overall. McIlroy made an eagle on the first hole, giving his round an encouraging start before the fading light interrupted play.
Both golfers entered the event with ambitions of making progress in the season-long Race to Dubai standings. McIlroy was seeking to close the gap on the leading players, while Fleetwood was attempting to defend his title.
The delay complicated their immediate task because they would need to complete their remaining holes before progressing through the rest of the tournament.
McIlroy’s position also carried significance in the wider Race to Dubai contest, where results in the remaining events could influence the final standings.
However, the tournament remains a four-round competition, and the leaders’ advantage is not decisive at this stage. Several golfers are within striking distance, and the incomplete second round leaves room for substantial changes.
A crowded leaderboard sets up the weekend
The DP World India Championship is scheduled to continue at Delhi Golf Club through October 18, with the remaining second-round holes to be completed before the competition advances.
The three-way tie at eight-under par has created an open contest, while Detry’s unfinished round and the presence of other golfers close behind add further uncertainty.
The tournament’s demanding conditions are likely to place a premium on concentration, recovery and consistency. Players who can complete their outstanding holes without losing momentum will be better positioned to approach the weekend rounds with confidence.
For the Indian contingent, Chouhan remains the leading hope after his encouraging start. Lahiri and Talwar will seek to improve their standings as the cut approaches.
The championship has already tested the field’s adaptability, with weather interruptions forcing players to alter their schedules and manage unusually long days on the course.
As the competition moves forward, the leading trio will aim to protect their positions, while the chasing group will look for opportunities to close the gap. With several rounds still to be completed, the title remains far from decided.