PGA Tour star in race against time to make DP World India after 'visa issues"

Michael Kim’s preparations for this week’s DP World India Championship have been thrown into disarray after running into visa issues while travelling from Japan.

Kim, fresh off a T56 at the Baycurrent Classic on the PGA Tour and still buzzing from his first DP World Tour title at the Open de France last month, has endured a frustrating few days trying to make it to New Delhi. 

That win in France ended a seven-year drought and made him the first American since Barry Jaeckel in 1972 to lift the famous trophy — a landmark moment that reignited his global career.

Taking to social media, Kim, 32, hared the news with his trademark humour:

“I committed to play the DP World India champ but I’ve had some visa issues and still in Japan… Luckily I think it’s going to work out and headed to India now. No practice at all, have to go in blind. Let’s see how it turns out haha.”

He even joked:

“Anyone know what golf course I’m playing tomorrow? Trying to look at some pictures.”

Kim’s flight is due to land in New Delhi at 4:30pm local time on Wednesday, leaving him barely 15 hours before his 7:45am Thursday tee time alongside Dylan Naidoo and Manu Gandas. 

That means no practice rounds, no course prep, and minimal rest before tackling one of Asia’s most demanding layouts at Delhi Golf Club.

It’s the latest visa headache to hit players this week — coming just 24 hours after Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson was forced to withdraw from the $4 million event following his own travel document nightmare.

This week's inaugural DP World India Championship is headlined by European Ryder Cup heroes Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry and Viktor Hovland, as well as their victorious captain Luke Donald, who is still contemplating whether to keep the armband for Ireland in 2027. 

Despite the disruption, Kim sits in a strong position heading into the closing stretch of the season. 

Currently 37th in the Race to Dubai standings, he is assured of his place in next month’s DP World Tour Playoffs. 

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The top 70 players will qualify for the first leg in Abu Dhabi, with the top 50 then advancing to contest the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

Still, arriving late and playing blind is far from ideal. Delhi Golf Club’s narrow fairways and swirling winds will test every ounce of Kim’s patience and precision.

But if there’s one thing we’ve learned from his comeback season, it’s that Kim thrives under adversity — and this week, he’ll need every bit of that resilience just to make his tee time.