Rory McIlroy four shots off the pace after weather-affected first day in India

Rory McIlroy was four shots off the pace after finishing his first round on a disrupted opening day at the DP World India Championship.

The world number two, who is bidding to win the Race to Dubai title for a record-equalling eighth time, completed a two-under-par 70 after a five-hour delay caused by torrential rain in New Delhi.

That left the Northern Irishman trailing early pacesetter Niklas Norgaard of Denmark, who led by one after shooting a six-under 66, but a raft of players were still to finish when play ended for the day.

McIlroy was third in the DP World Tour standings coming into this penultimate event before the play-offs.

Leader Patrick Reed was two over having played just four holes of his opening round while second-placed Eugenio Chacarra was one of three players just behind Norgaard on five under.

McIlroy, who had four birdies on his card against two bogeys, feels he is well placed in terms of both the tournament and the race for the overall title.

He told Sky Sports: “I hit the ball pretty well for the most part. I missed a few putts early on, got it going a little bit around the middle, and then maybe missed a couple of opportunities when we came back out after the delay.

“So overall, it felt like it could have been a couple better, but still a solid start.

“Eugenio got off to a good start, Patrick’s probably only going to play a few holes, but I have to concentrate on myself.

“I know a good week here will set me up well for the last two weeks in the Middle East. I don’t need to be leading going into the last two weeks but if I can just eat into that lead a little bit, I feel like I’ll have a really good chance in those final two events.”

McIlroy revealed he stayed in tune by practising his swing in his hotel room during the long stoppage.

He said: “You’re always just trying to maintain what you have, trying to work on your swing a little bit. I’ve got three or four training aids in the room and a couple of different weighted clubs and you’re always just trying to get it into that right spot.”

Fellow Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin and Thomas Detry were alongside Chacarra on five under after signing for 67s.

The Scottish trio of Robert MacIntyre, Ewen Ferguson and Scott Jamieson were on four under, as was Englishman Marcus Armitage.

Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood had to settle for a two-under 70 after a double bogey on the last.

Justin Rose and Luke Donald finished level par while Ireland’s Shane Lowry was three over.