Nakajima holds two-shot edge in Delhi
Japanese star channels Lowry’s rhythm as Fleetwood and Lowry chase at Delhi Golf Club
Seoul, Korea - Keita Nakajima is closing in on a second victory on Indian soil after carding a flawless 65 to take a two-shot lead into the final round of the DP World India Championship in Delhi.
The 25-year-old Japanese player, already a winner at last year’s Hero Indian Open, looked entirely at ease on another tight, tree-lined Indian layout as he rolled in seven birdies to move to 17 under par. His performance sets up a final-day showdown with reigning FedExCup champion Tommy Fleetwood, who trails by two, and Major winner Shane Lowry, one further back.
Nakajima, who began the day two shots behind Fleetwood, struck first with a ten-foot birdie at the opening hole and gathered momentum through the front nine, making further birdies at the fifth, sixth and eighth to turn in 32. A 40-foot birdie putt at the par-three 12th ignited his inward half, and two more long-range efforts at the 13th and 14th gave him breathing room.
Fleetwood looked in control early, posting three birdies before the turn, but a sluggish run of pars on the back nine and a bogey at the 17th saw him slip back. He recovered one shot on the 18th thanks to a fortunate bounce off a tree that led to a closing birdie. Lowry’s steady 67 kept him firmly in contention at 14 under.
“It was a great day,” Nakajima said. “I played with Shane Lowry. I love his swing tempo and his golf style, so I learned from him a lot. My mindset was great — I copied his swing tempo every shot.”
Having thrived in India with a win and a runner-up finish over the past two seasons, Nakajima’s comfort was clear. “I had two good tournaments in India already, so I had confidence playing here,” he said. “One more day, same thing, same mindset — just play golf.”
With a chasing pack that includes Jens Dantorp, Alex Fitzpatrick, Daniel Hillier and Brian Harman at 13 under, and Viktor Hovland lurking at 12 under, Nakajima knows another sharp performance will be required. But with confidence high and putter hot, he appears poised to turn Delhi into another personal triumph.