Niall Lyons Golf Betting Tips for the 2026 India Championship

The Hero Indian Open last played host to this Delhi GC back in 2016 but plenty of other events have been held here since with the Panasonic Open being another as well as Indian Tour events. Last year saw the inaugural edition of this event at this golf course. There is a host of form to go on but not a whole pile of stats and any stats that are available can be taken somewhat with a pinch of salt. The course is extremely narrow off the tee which would suggest those spraying the ball off the tee will struggle. However, this wasn't the case last year even though Fleetwood ranked 8th in driving accuracy. The remaining top 5 and ties were fairly wayward from the tee and in fact distance trumped accuracy overall. It's difficult to get a handle on the track stats wise but Fleetwood, Nakajima, Lawrence and Lowry all in the top 5 last year suggests the course suits the profile of those who play well on other tight, tree lined layouts. Kenyan Open golf courses, Crans Sur Sierre and Rinkven are venues that I have my eye on where similar results could play out. 

Indian Championship Tips

Min Woo Lee at 18/1 (WIN)

Top billing this week goes the way of Min Woo Lee. Whenever there is a course where scrambling and putting come to the fore Min Woo must be treated as a serious runner. Lee finished off his regular season by finishing a very impressive 4th in the Tour Championship at East Lake then gaining 2.5pts from a possible 5 at the Presidents Cup can be considered a fair return given they were huge underdogs. A return to tournament golf last week saw him finish 9th at the Baycurrent Classic which looks like a fairly good preparation course wise for what presents itself this week. Two top 25s in two visits to Crans is a fair return during that stage of his career but it is three visits to Valderrama that stick out here. 2nd in 2021 and 3rd in 2022 suggests this type of layout is perfect for the Australian. With McIlroy winless since the Masters and Fleetwood winless since this event last year I fancy taking them on and Min Woo is trending perfectly towards this. His short game should shine and with more of an emphasis on length than accuracy last year we should see him make a bold fist of this.

3pts WIN MW Lee  18/1 Betfred

Anirban Lahiri at 125/1 (Eight Places)

I went with Lahiri last year around the 35/1 mark and I can't turn him down at triple figures this time. His form doesn't suggest a win in this calibre of field is realistic right now, but when the course form is this strong I find it almost an auto bet given the price. Two runner ups and four victories here across multiple events gives Lahiri such a big advantage on the rest of the field and it seems foolish not to include him in the staking plan. His form at Valderrama is pretty good also with a runner up back in 2024, 23rd last year then 10th again four months ago. That knack for playing well on these types of courses gives him a chance here no matter what his form in the lead in has been. He hasn't played since August so he may need to shake off some rust but that also raises the possibility of an improvement in his game in the meantime. At triple figure prices I'm happy to pay to find out even though egg on the chops is much more likely.

1pt each-way A.Lahiri  125/1  (1/5 8) Bet365

Thirston Lawrence at 50/1 (Eight Places)

It is difficult to ignore the chances of Thirston Lawrence this week at Delhi. The South African's form across courses of this nature is very eye catching and I'm surprised there hasn't been a bigger redress in his price after last week. He finished 13th in Spain, a course that holds a handful of similarities to that of this week. He ranked 4th in scrambling there and 25th in putting so that bodes well for this week. He should find it easier to make gains with the long game here also given his fondness for this type of golf. Three wins at Crans Sur Sierre as well as a runner up at Muthaiga in Kenya, 6th at Valderrama and 4th at Rinkven mean he is adequately qualified for this test. He finished 3rd here last year after a 23rd the week before in Spain. It's also worth noting that he won in Crans in 2025 after 3 missed cuts. His win there this year was after three missed cuts in his previous four. Now he arrives at a suitable track with form in his back pocket and he must be a danger to the market principles.

1pt each-way T.Lawrence  50/1  (1/5 8) Betfred, Bet365

Adrian Otaegui at 90/1 (Eight Places)

Angel Ayora should go well here and holds a huge chance but I simply can not get involved at the price. Form figures of 8-4 at Crans and another top 10 at Karen suggest this is the type of course that he could well gain his maiden victory on. However, having been near double that price at the Irish Open last month where McIlroy was the 5/1 favourite I can't help but feel the price is just a little too malnourished. Following an impressive top 10 last week in Spain Adrian Otaegui just about makes the staking plan. A lack of distance off the tee doesn't help but he should find plenty of fairways here and should he produce a similar iron display this week then he can make the frame. He ranked 4th in approach play last week and could have finished even higher only a bad week on the greens. He will need to putt better but his credentials for these tests are good. He has won at Valderrama and has posted a top 5 finish at Muthaiga. He looks slightly overpriced to continue last weeks form.

1pt each-way A.Otaegui  90/1  (1/5 8) Bet365, Betfred

Darius Van Driel at 150/1 (Eight Places)

I will continue with my theme on these golf courses and back Darius Van Driel. The Dutchman has a victory at Muthaiga, two runner up finishes at Rinkven and a top 10 at Karen. He finished 46th last week in Spain but had an awful week on the greens. He ranked 16th in strokes gained approach and should be able to score well here should he repeat those numbers. The putter will need to heat up but at 150/1+ I think we see a big enough upside to that risk. Guido Migliozzi is another who came close to the staking plan but a missed cut last week in Spain just about tempers that enthusiasm. 

1pt each-way D. Van Driel  150/1  (1/5 8) Bet365