Nakajima dominates in India: Leads with a 2-stroke advantage after the third round

Keita Nakajima Takes the Lead at the Indian DP World Championship

The Japanese golfer Keita Nakajima shot a flawless round of 7-under par, with a 65, to lead by two strokes at the Indian DP World Championship after the third round on Saturday, moving closer to his second title on the European circuit. Nakajima, 25 years old and a former number one in the amateur ranking, has two European Ryder Cup stars as his closest competitors. Tommy Fleetwood (69) is in second place, while Shane Lowry (69) is one stroke behind, in third place. Rory McIlroy, world number 2 and the main attraction at the Delhi Golf Club, signed a card of 68 strokes and placed 15th, seven strokes behind the leader before the final round.

I’m probably two shots away from having a realistic chance.

Rory McIlroy

Nakajima birdied four of his first eight holes and then three in a row starting at the 12th, overtaking Fleetwood, who was leading at the time. He made pars on the remaining holes to maintain the lead in his quest for his first tour title since March 2024, at the Hero Indian Open. According to Nakajima, the secret to his good third round was observing his playing partner, Lowry.

I love the rhythm of his swing and I copied it. That’s why my swing was better than yesterday. And the mentality was great.

Keita Nakajima

Fleetwood, who led at the start of the day, got birdies on two of his first three holes and on the 8th hole, a par 5. His only bogey came on the 17th hole after three putts from 30 feet, but he recovered with a birdie on the last hole to enter the final group.

Keita is not far enough away to have complete control. You just have to enjoy it. The final group is always great. You have to enjoy those moments. You don’t know when they will happen again.

Tommy Fleetwood