Keita Nakajima fired a bogey-free 7-under 65 to grab a two-stroke lead at the DP World India Championship after Saturday’s third round. The 25-year-old former top-ranked amateur is positioning himself for his second European tour title.
Two European Ryder Cup stars are chasing Nakajima into Sunday’s final round. Tommy Fleetwood sits in second after posting a 69, while Shane Lowry (also with a 69) lurks just one shot behind Fleetwood in third place.
Rory McIlroy, the world No. 2 and tournament headliner, couldn’t make a significant move at Delhi Golf Club. His 68 left him tied for 15th, seven shots off the pace.
“I’m probably two shots too far behind to have a realistic chance,” McIlroy admitted.
Nakajima started hot with four birdies in his first eight holes. He then caught fire midway through the back nine, draining three consecutive birdies starting at the 12th hole, sinking putts totaling 70 feet to surge past Fleetwood. From there, he played steady golf to maintain his advantage as he pursues his first European tour win since the Hero Indian Open in March 2024 — also held in India.
What sparked Nakajima’s impressive round? He credits his playing partner.
“I love his swing tempo,” Nakajima said of Lowry, “and I copied him. So that’s why my swing was better than yesterday. And mindset was great.”
Fleetwood, who held the overnight lead, started strong with birdies on two of his first three holes and added another at the par-5 8th. His only stumble came at 17 where he three-putted from 30 feet, but he bounced back with a closing birdie to secure his spot in Sunday’s final group.
“Keita is not far enough ahead where he’s completely in control,” said Fleetwood, who won the PGA Tour’s Tour Championship in August and was Europe’s top points scorer during last month’s Ryder Cup victory. “Just go into tomorrow, enjoy it. Final group is always great. You’ve got to enjoy those moments. You don’t know when they’re going to come again.”
