India-happy Keita Nakajima sets up title bid at Delhi Golf Club

2024 Indian Open winner Keita Nakajima of Japan heading into the penultimate day of the DP World Championship at the Delhi Golf Club on Saturday. Image courtesy of DPWIC.

By Rahul Banerji

Keita Nakajima knows what it takes to win in India. He did it at the 2024 Indian Open and almost repeated this year on the DLF course before finishing second behind Eugenio Chacarra.

On Moving Day in the $4 million DP World India Championship, the Japanese star was two shots clear of the field with a flawless 7 under par 65 at the Delhi Golf Club.

Nakajima’s seven birdies on Saturday could well put him on course for an Indian victory at number two at 17 under 199.

His playing partner on the day, Shane Lowry, said afterwards: “He (Nakajima) will be tough to beat tomorrow.

“But there will be a few of us who are not far behind him and will hopefully give him a chance.”

Hot on the heels of the 25-year-old from Saitama is a classy field led by overnight star Tommy Fleetwood (69) from England at 15 under 201, and Ireland’s Lowry (69) at 14 under 202.

American golfer Brian Harman (70) shares fourth place at 13 under 205 with Denmark’s Jens Dantorp (65), England’s Alex Fitzpatrick (67) and New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier (67).

Top Indian

Dhruv Sheoran (68-73-67) was the top-seeded Indian at tied for 25th^e placed at 8-under 208 in a round that included five birdies and a bogey, moving him 16 spots higher in the rankings.

Shiv Kapur (70) and Shubhankar Sharma (71) were next best in shared 42^i.e place at 5 under 211.

Anirban Lahiri and Abhinav Lohan scored 1 over 73s to end the day tied on 58^e and tied 63^rd place.

Nakajima put up two shots behind Fleetwood on Saturday, but immediately took the lead with a 10-foot birdie at the first.

He then holed from 13 feet for birdie on five before picking up more shots on holes six and eight, catching the leader with a 40-foot birdie putt on 12.

Another long birdie putt on 13 gave Nakajima the only lead, and he made three in a row on 14 from almost 20 feet, leaving him two shots clear.

Nakajima later said, “It was a great day. I played with Shane Lowry and I like his swing tempo and his golf style. So I learned a lot from Shane.”

Swing tempo

“I copied his swing tempo on every shot, that’s why I did great.

“I already had two good tournaments in India, so I felt confident playing here. One more day, just keep going.”

Fleetwood led for most of the day with three front nine birdies, but lost momentum on the back nine with seven pars, a bogey and a closing birdie, leaving him sole runner-up.

“The last group is always great. You have to enjoy those moments. You don’t know when they will come again. I’m looking forward to it.”

“It was a great tournament. Hopefully you will enjoy it and play well.”

Big guns

Norway’s Viktor Hovland was eighth at 12 under 204, while world number two and reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland was T15 at 10 under.

Sheoran had a birdie conversion from 40 feet on the second hole and then made gradual progress, including birdies from a great up and down from the rough on eight and an excellent approach on 11.

His only bogey of the day came on 12, but three more birdies made him feel better.

“I was pretty calm today at the range itself,” Sheoran said later.

“On the practice green the putts were rolling straight and my coach Rahul Bajaj gave me a big thumbs up. I took that confidence to the course and it worked out well for me.

“I was looking for six under at the start today and came very close to my goal. I did very well this week with my 2-iron and 4-iron.”

Also read: Ryder Cup form continues to shine on the fairways of Delhi Golf Club

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