Rory McIlroy will play in India for the first time after confirming his participation in the DP World India Championship in October. The Northern Irishman will enter the inaugural £2.9million tournament and has spoken for the first time since his disappointing PGA Championship performance.

Hoping for a strong field of the world's best golfers, the DP World Tour launched the India Championship this season. It has the biggest prize fund ever offered for one of the tour's events in India. The competition will take place from October 16-19 and form the penultimate meeting in the Race to Dubai, which McIlroy won last year. Ambitions to raise golf's profile across the globe compelled the Masters champion to enter.

McIlroy said: “I’m excited to not only tee it up in India for the first time but also visit a country that I’ve always wanted to explore.

“I’m proud to play in the inaugural DP World India Championship. I’ve always enjoyed playing a global schedule and as I have previously said, there is tremendous potential to grow golf further in the country. This is a great opportunity, and I can’t wait to play in front of Indian golf fans.”

Yuvraj Narayan, Group Deputy CEO and Chief Financial Officer, DP World said: “We are delighted to welcome Rory McIlroy to the DP World India Championship. Having a player of his calibre underscores the commitment both we and the DP World Tour have to the success of this tournament.

“Our mission to support the growth of golf from the grassroots remains central to our global golf vision, and hosting a global icon like Rory in India is a proud milestone in that journey.”

McIlroy failed to continue the momentum of his remarkable Masters triumph at the PGA Championship last week. The 36-year-old finished tied for 47th and hit three over par over a tough four-day tournament. He had only just made the cut for the final two rounds before scoring a pair of 72s across the weekend.

Some members of the media were frustrated that McIlroy chose not to speak publicly during the tournament. After finishing his final round on Sunday, the five-time major champion packed his clubs into his bag and abruptly headed home, snubbing the press conference facility.

Unlike in some other sports, golfers are not permitted to speak with the media but many choose to do so for various reasons.