New Delhi, Oct. 18 -- The large number of fans streaming into Delhi Golf Club on a sweaty Saturday afternoon were lined up both sides of the narrow first fairway, well before Rory McIlroy teed off in the 1.40pm slot. Scottie Scheffler is world No.1, but it is the Northern Irishman who is the leading light as a true globe-trotter, spreading golf's popularity. There is also the small matter of his six Majors, and a grand slam accomplished after an 11-year wait. The American has four, none this year when McIlroy defended his Masters title. But there is something very human about the 37-year-old world No.2, the biggest draw at this week's DP World India Championship. Sometimes McIlroy can appear a tad lonely on a course, even lost. Maybe it's just the lingering Tiger Woods effect, all imperious and with a halo. Fans, young and old, DGC regulars and new faces, seemed to know how special it was to see McIlroy, only the sixth male player to claim the career slam, playing before them. McIlroy had completed his unfinished second round in the morning to be 6-under par for the tournament. He then ended two-over after 15 holes when play was suspended due to fading light, the first day's rain delay having thrown the schedule into disarray. His third-round card had four bogeys and a double. Perhaps such a course had come too late in the season for the man chasing a record-equalling eighth Road to Dubai Rankings title. At the second, McIlroy hit the second shot and the discerning fans yelled "carry, carry". And they cheered as the ball landed on the green. Two fluffed shots result in bogeys on the 3rd and 4th holes. The mood lifts at the sixth tee. Brazil football great Ronaldo, an invitee of a tournament sponsor, had joined. Two security officials were with the group until then. Two more, both in a suit despite the high humidity, flank the famous former No.9. Ronaldo though is happy to oblige the really young selfie seekers. The crowd by now has divided loyalties, calling out Ronaldo and Rory in turns. There was a hush after the tee shot at the sixth. To McIlroy's dismay the chip off the greenside rough rolled away. Double bogey. McIlroy, a touch forlon, studied the greenside leaderboard as he walked up to the green on the par-3 seventh. Spain's Eugenio Chacarra is holding firm at the top. And then a brilliant birdie got the crowd roaring and his super fan Ronaldo tap an imaginary ball into goal. At the ninth, bogey again after finding the rough. Ronaldo seemed to have carried out his sponsor's obligations for the day, as he vanished into the club house. McIlroy skirted the fifth green, casting a long look at Chacarra, the R2DR leader in live rankings. At the 10, a six-footer lipped out for bogey and three pars followed. The grimaces, look into the distance, all suggests that the body and mind was feeling the strain of playing the 28th hole of the day. The McIlroy second shot lands on the greenside bunker. Shot gone awry? Not from the man who does magic with the wedge in hand. He sent the ball in an arc over the green. One bounce and drop. An eagle. The fans roared, their patience rewarded in fading light. McIlroy's grinned, finally....