Just because Rory McIlroy growing his bank account doesn’t mean he isn’t still trying to grow the game.
So the Northern Irishman said in response to reviews by Kevin Kisnerwho questioned McIlroy’s stated motivations for playing in this week’s India DP World Championship in New Delhi.
In case you missed it, here’s the context. McIlroy was in the tournament for the second consecutive year and, like many other top players in the field, including Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rosereceived an undisclosed appearance fee.
Such fees come with certain obligations. Among them was face time at a Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi earlier this week, where McIlroy discussed the opportunity to expand golf’s reach in India and suggested that his participation in the tournament could help introduce the sport to a wider audience.
On the other side of the world, Kisner scoffed at that idea. Speaking on the Fore Play podcast, the pro-turned Tour broadcaster called McIlroy’s comment “dog st” and said McIlroy and other big names in New Delhi were only in it for the money.
“I know there’s a bunch of guys that get paid for that event,” Kisner said. “How else do you get that event in India with eight billion people downtown?”
When reporters at the event in India relayed those comments to him, McIlroy responded with a question of his own.
“How would he know that?” said of Kisner.
🚨🗣️🇮🇳 #CLAPPING BACK – World #2 Rory McIlroy has responded to Kevin Kisner’s comments after being accused of playing in India just for appearance rights. Rory’s full response ⬇️ @TrackingRory https://t.co/iTNE3BRdXl
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) October 18, 2026
McIlroy went on to argue that financial incentives and a genuine interest in growing the sport can coexist.
“Two things can be true at the same time,” he said. “People can be paid to come and play in a tournament, but at the same time do it from a place of real interest in trying to bring the sport to another country, a developing country. A country where the middle class in India is greater than the entire population of the United States. It is a great partner for golf.”
For readers who care more about on-course results than commentary, McIlroy finished T42 in New Delhi, 17 shots behind winner Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra.
