McIlroy Ditches Driver and Dons Baggy Trousers for Delhi Showdown

Rory McIlroy is going full retro for his Delhi debut. The world No. 2 will wear baggy, flared trousers and play the week without his driver at the DP World India Championship, admitting he is copying defending champion and Ryder Cup teammate Tommy Fleetwood's style.

McIlroy, chasing a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title, showed off the new look in the tournament pro-am at Delhi Golf Club. He said the flared trousers give better airflow in the hot, humid conditions and that he wants "to keep up with the cool kids," even though Fleetwood is only two years younger.

The more striking move is equipment. McIlroy has left his driver and three-wood in his hotel room, reckoning they are redundant on the tight, tree-lined 6,912-yard course, which rewards accuracy over power. He is not alone: Ryan Fox has removed the driver from his bag entirely, while Min Woo Lee and Patrick Reed are expected to leave theirs largely untouched this week.

The £3 million event marks one of the strongest fields Delhi has hosted, with McIlroy headlining a group of big hitters forced to throttle back. On a course where one wayward tee shot can turn into a recovery exercise, restraint may be the smartest club in the bag.