Staff WriterLuke Donald isn’t one to rest on laurels — even when those laurels involve masterminding Europe’s first Ryder Cup win on American soil since 2012. The European Ryder Cup Captain is swapping his captain’s cap for a golf glove this October, teeing it up at the $4 million DP World India Championship in Delhi, his first competitive start since that historic triumph at Bethpage Black.
Fresh off becoming only the second European skipper after Tony Jacklin to win home and away, Donald’s return promises to add a touch of Ryder Cup theatre to a tournament already brimming with star power.
The former World Number One will join an elite field featuring his European stalwarts Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland and Shane Lowry — familiar faces from Rome and New York who helped script back-to-back victories over the United States.
Together, they’ll descend on the Lodhi Course at Delhi Golf Club from 16–19 October for what will be a landmark moment in Indian golf: the richest DP World Tour event ever held in the country.
Donald’s Debut in Delhi
This will be Luke Donald’s professional debut in India, though he’s no stranger to conquering new territories. Across his glittering career, he’s collected 17 worldwide victories, including back-to-back wins at Japan’s Dunlop Phoenix Tournament in 2012 and 2013.
Seven DP World Tour titles, a stint as World Number One, and now a history-making Ryder Cup captaincy — Donald’s presence in Delhi is both a coup for the tournament and a signal that he’s not finished making headlines with a golf club in hand.
Donald said: “It’s incredibly exciting to be playing in the inaugural DP World India Championship. It’s shaping up to be a fantastic field, and I’m sure the event will be a great addition to the Race to Dubai.
It’s always a pleasure to play in a new location, and I’m looking forward to teeing it up in front of the fans in Delhi.”
Global Heavyweights Assemble
The DP World India Championship, co-sanctioned with the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), isn’t just a new stop on the calendar — it’s a statement. Following the success of the 2025 Hero Indian Open, it cements India’s position as a rising stage for world golf.
Alongside Luke Donald and his European stars, American Major champion Brian Harman will bring his steely wedge game, joined by compatriot and two-time PGA TOUR winner Ben Griffin, who made his Ryder Cup debut in New York this year.
Former European Ryder Cup names Nicolas Colsaerts (fresh off his 500th DP World appearance), Rafa Cabrera Bello, Ross Fisher, Andy Sullivan and Bernd Wiesberger are also on the tee sheet, adding a layer of experience and intrigue to the mix.
On the 2025 Race to Dubai front, the lineup features a clutch of recent winners: American Michael Kim, fresh from victory in France; five-time DP World Tour winner Thriston Lawrence of South Africa; French duo Martin Couvra and Adrien Saddier; Englishmen Richard Mansell, John Parry and Jordan Smith; and Spain’s Eugenio Chacarra, who triumphed at the Hero Indian Open.
Home Advantage for India’s Best
More than 20 Indian players will look to turn local knowledge into leaderboard momentum. Among them are two-time DP World Tour winner Shubhankar Sharma, 18-time global winner Anirban Lahiri, seven-time winner Shiv Kapur and Veer Ahlawat, who secured his 2025 Tour card by topping last season’s PGTI Rankings. For these players, this isn’t just another Tour stop — it’s a chance to shine on home soil in front of a global audience.
Tickets and Tournament Info
The DP World India Championship takes place at Delhi Golf Club from 16–19 October. Tickets are available now here.
With Luke Donald leading a parade of Ryder Cup heroes, Major champions, and homegrown stars, this inaugural event is shaping up to be more than just another tournament — it’s a new chapter for golf in India.
