The DP World India Championship returned to Delhi Golf Membership this week, bringing with it a star-studded area and a course that performs like a tightrope stroll. On Friday, Tommy Fleetwood answered each query.
He opened with a ten-foot birdie on the eleventh gap and reeled off 5 birdies earlier than the flip. Three extra birdies late within the spherical gave him a bogey-free 64 and the clubhouse lead at 12-under.
The reigning FedExCup champion admitted he needed to work on his swing after Thursday’s 68 and credited time on the vary for his improved ball-striking. Tommy likened the Delhi format to “a ready sport,” explaining that he by no means used greater than a five-wood and that hitting fairways and wedges was essential.
The slender corridors and agency greens meant persistence was extra necessary than energy; making birdies felt like threading a needle. In the meantime, Shane Lowry stayed shut.
After posting a 64 to guide after day one, the Irishman carded a gentle 69 on Friday regardless of a few unfastened pictures, conserving him one shot behind Fleetwood. Keita Nakajima, the rising Japanese star, was one other stroke again in fourth, lurking like a shadow.
The DP World India Championship had changed into a check of precision, and after two rounds Fleetwood, Nakajima, and Lowry had been separated by simply two pictures.
Nakajima’s Cost And Lowry’s Grit Set Up A Sunday Showdown
Saturday’s third spherical flipped the script as Keita Nakajima produced a mesmerizing, bogey-free 65. He birdied the primary, fifth, sixth, and eighth to show in 32 earlier than draining lengthy putts from 40, 13, and practically 20 toes on the twelfth, thirteenth, and 14th holes.
These bombs vaulted him to 17-under and a two-shot lead over Tommy. “I performed with Shane and I like his swing tempo, so I copied his tempo on each shot; that’s why I did nice,” Keita mentioned.
The 25-year-old, already a winner on the 2024 Hero Indian Open, added that he attracts confidence from his previous success in India. Whereas Keita surged, Tommy fought for momentum.
When you had been sleeping, Kieta Nakajima birdied 7 of the primary 14 holes to take the solo lead in New Delhi. Tommy Fleetwood is 2 again, and Shane Lowry within the hunt in addition to play is wrapping up for the day. pic.twitter.com/9yaTn7TZw0
— SleeperGolf (@SleeperGolf) October 18, 2025
He birdied three of his first 9 holes however parred seven straight on the again 9 after which dropped his first shot of the day on the seventeenth. His fortunes modified when his method on the 18th ricocheted off a tree and kicked again into the green; he chipped shut and holed the birdie putt.
After the spherical Fleetwood acknowledged he didn’t take advantage of his probabilities however remained upbeat: “The ultimate group is all the time nice… simply exit and luxuriate in it and play nicely.”
Lowry matched Fleetwood’s 69 however his again 9 was a rollercoaster.
“I acquired very annoyed on the again 9… I began to hit very unfastened pictures, made some foolish errors,” he confessed. Regardless of the miscues, he remained inside three pictures of Nakajima.
Leaderboard After 54 Holes
| Place | Participant | Rating |
| 1 | Nakajima | −17 |
| 2 | Fleetwood | −15 |
| 3 | Lowry | −14 |
| T4 | Jens Dantorp / Alex Fitzpatrick / Brian Harman / Daniel Hillier | −13 |
With Nakajima forward, Fleetwood and Lowry nonetheless within the hunt, and massive names like Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland lurking additional again, the DP World India Championship promised an exhilarating finale.
What’s at Stake and What to Look ahead to
The DP World India Championship isn’t just one other cease on the schedule. It marks the tour’s return to India, boasts a handbag of USD 4 million, and attracts marquee names together with Fleetwood, Nakajima, Lowry, McIlroy, and Hovland.
Delhi Golf Membership’s par-72 format is just 6,912 yards, however its slender, tree-lined fairways and tough greens demand surgical precision, and gamers usually go away their drivers within the bag. Sunday’s ultimate spherical is about up like a chess match.
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Keita Nakajima leads the DP World India Championship with Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry within the combine heading into the ultimate spherical 👀 pic.twitter.com/hkzmffCKju
— Sky Sports activities Golf (@SkySportsGolf) October 18, 2025
Nakajima has the momentum, however he hasn’t shaken Fleetwood and Lowry but. Fleetwood’s tee-to-green consistency and Lowry’s means to grind via adversity make them harmful. Nakajima described India as a cheerful looking floor and mentioned he’ll persist with the identical rhythm.
Fleetwood is aware of he should “be very affected person” and anticipate alternatives, whereas Lowry believes a low ultimate spherical may vault him into rivalry. Because the solar rises over New Delhi on Sunday, the DP World India Championship may change into a two-horse race or flip right into a three-man tussle.
No matter occurs, the battle between Fleetwood, Nakajima, and Lowry on one among golf’s most exacting tracks guarantees drama worthy of a ultimate act.
Author’s Ideas
Watching the DP World India Championship unfold has been like studying a fantastic novel, simply whenever you assume the plot is settled, Nakajima, Fleetwood, and Lowry rewrite the script. Fleetwood’s second-round masterpiece gave him the lead, Nakajima’s birdie barrage on Saturday tipped the scales, and Lowry’s steadiness retains him within the image.
I can’t wait to see if Nakajima can shut the deal or if Fleetwood and Lowry will writer a comeback. One factor is for certain: the ultimate spherical might be as tight because the corridors of Delhi Golf Membership.
Steadily Requested Questions
Who leads the DP World India Championship going into the ultimate spherical?
After three rounds, Keita Nakajima leads at 17-under with Tommy Fleetwood two pictures again and Shane Lowry one other stroke behind.
How did Fleetwood take the lead earlier within the DP World India Championship?
Fleetwood seized the midway lead with a bogey-free 64 on Friday, making 5 birdies earlier than the flip and three extra coming house. He credited improved ball-striking from a post-round vary session.
What did Keita Nakajima say about Shane Lowry’s swing tempo?
Nakajima mentioned he admired Lowry’s swing tempo and even copied it throughout his seven-birdie 65 on Saturday. He believes adopting that rhythm helped him keep relaxed and go bogey-free.
How has Shane Lowry fared on the DP World India Championship?
Lowry led after spherical one with a 64 and has adopted it with back-to-back 69s. He admitted frustration over some unfastened pictures on Saturday however stays simply three strokes behind.
When and the place is the ultimate spherical of the DP World India Championship?
The ultimate spherical takes place on Sunday at Delhi Golf Membership. The competition begins early in New Delhi, and viewers can count on Nakajima, Fleetwood, and Lowry to battle for the title on a course that rewards persistence and precision.
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