Rory McIlroy reveals genius reason behind viral baggy trousers on DP World Tour

Rory McIlroy has finally addressed why he has been wearing baggy trousers ahead of the DP World India Championship, and it makes perfect sense.

On Thursday, some of the biggest names in golf will tee off at the Delhi Golf Club for the the DP World India Championship, with the likes of McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry and Justin Rose competing in the The Race to Dubai event.

Ahead of the competition beginning, McIlroy has been spotted practicing in New Delhi and competing in a pro-am tournament in baggy flared trousers, and now he's explained why.

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Why is Rory McIlroy wearing baggy trousers?

The DP World India Championship is set to take place at Delhi Golf Club from 15–18 October, with Fleetwood defending the title he won at the inaugural event in 2025.

Heading in to the event, McIlroy, who is just one short of equalling Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight Race to Dubai wins, is surprisingly facing a battle for the title as he is currently in third, behind leader Patrick Reed and Spain's surprise star Eugenio Lopez-Characarra.

And in order to gain a competitive edge for this week's event, McIlroy has decided to change up his outfit and wear baggy trousers to battle the 'hot and humid conditions' in New Delhi.

"I'm glad the desk is hiding them!" McIlroy joked when fellow golf legend Nick Faldo asked about the trousers.

"I've watched and admired Tommy Fleetwood over the past year. In my everyday life when I don't have to wear my golf uniform, I wear a lot of wide-legged, straight pants, it is the 'in' thing, the fashionable thing.

"But these are a little low, they're maybe a little short."

When Faldo questioned McIlroy's decision not to bring any other trousers with him for the competition, particularly because it could impact the air flow during his swings, the Northern Irishman added that was exactly the plan.

"We need air flow this week! It's hot and humid," he said.

"I understand that they're maybe not as well-fitting as they need to be, but it's a work in progress."

When close friend and fellow baggy trousers admirer Fleetwood saw McIlroy's new look, he joked: “It’s all very well him calling me a style guru – I’d definitely swap that title for Rory’s career!”

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Rory McIlroy leaves favourite golf club behind in controversial decision

And it's not just McIlroy's choice of trousers raising eyebrows ahead of the DP World India Championship, as the six-time major winner revealed he's also left his favourite golf club at home, his driver.

The course at the Delhi Golf Club is considerably shorter than many others on the DP World Tour and, with plenty of trees surrounding the green, McIlroy ultimately felt a driver would be surplus to requirement.

“This course is a fair bit shorter than the ones we normally play, and it is so tight that there is no advantage in hitting driver really," he said.

“I quickly realised that when I played here for the first time last year. So the driver is staying in the hotel room this week, and so is my three wood.

“I’ve kept the five wood because it will be useful for the second shot on some of the par fives.

“But other than that it’s a case of finding fairways and plotting your way around the course.”

McIlroy tees off for his first round in the DP World India Championship at 2:45am BST on Thursday (7:15am in Delhi).

He’ll start on the 10th hole with Fleetwood and Robert MacIntyre.