Rory McIlroy has been accused by a US Ryder Cup vice-captain of making a “dogs--- comment” when explaining why he is playing in India this week.

Kevin Kisner, who assisted Keegan Bradley last year at Bethpage, criticised the world No 2 after hearing him using the term “grow the game” before teeing it up at the DP World India Championship.

“That is such a dogs--- comment, but I guess for the right price we could all say that comment,” Kisner, the four-time winner on the PGA Tour, said on the Fore Play Podcast. “He doesn’t want to globally expand in India; he wants to get his 10 million bucks and go play in India.

“I know there are a pile of guys who got paid for that event. How else would you get that event in India with eight billion people in the middle of the city? And Rory’s not even hitting a driver this week. You think he wants to go play a tournament where he can’t use his No 1 weapon? So give me a break.”

McIlroy is playing at the tight Delhi Golf Club for a second year running and is being paid appearance fees. On Tuesday, it was announced that he had been signed up as a global ambassador by DP World, the Dubai title sponsors of what used to be called the European Tour, in a deal worth millions.

As Kisner said, McIlroy is not the only player being remunerated for his presence – Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose are also in the field – and, as well as promoting the tournament, they were also required to fulfil promotional duties. These included attending a “Diwali with the Stars” dinner on Friday, dressed in traditional tunics.

“They always seem to say the right things while they’re over there,” Kisner said. “As part of your appearance fee, here’s your script for altruism, and you need to mention these four lines in whatever interview you do throughout the week. Which is totally fine, I’d do it too, and all of us on this podcast would.

“I just find it hilarious when you can pop up and play an event where Rory McIlroy can’t hit his driver and all those guys show up, and nobody’s like, ‘Alright, this is stupid’, whenever they can go play the sickest course in the world, and none of them show up. It’s just very odd to me.”

There is greater motivation for McIlroy than money, however. He is third in the Order of Merit and looking to overhaul both American Patrick Reed and Eugenio Chacarra with only a month left in the Race to Dubai. Going into Saturday, McIlroy had played four holes of his second round in the weather-affected event and was four under par, four shots off the pace.

Telegraph Sport has contacted McIlroy for comment.