New Delhi, Oct 18 Spain’s Eugenio Chacarra moved closer to his third win of the season with a stunning nine-under-par 63 that gave him a five-shot lead at the USD 4 million DP World India Championship at Delhi Golf Club, as the weather-disrupted tournament headed into its final round on Sunday.
His score equalled the week’s best, earlier shot by Laurie Canter in the second round.
Needing to finish his remaining seven holes from the third round, Chacarra returned this morning and produced a brilliant closing burst as he added three more birdies and a closing eagle to make it to 9-under-63. He reached 19-under-par 197 with rounds of 67, 67 and 63.
A win would lift Chacarra to the top of the Race to Dubai Rankings. His first DP World Tour win had also come earlier in India in 2025 at the Hero Indian Open at the DLF Golf and Country Club.
New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier emerged as his closest challenger at 14-under after recording a second successive 64. His recovery has been remarkable. Hillier was four over par after 13 holes in the opening round but has fought his way into contention with two outstanding rounds.
Dutchman Joost Luiten was third at 13-under after a 67, while Chacarra’s compatriot Angel Hidalgo occupied fourth place at 12-under following a third consecutive 68.
JC Ritchie, Adrian Meronk and Scott Jamieson shared fifth place at 11-under. Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood was tied ninth at nine-under after a bogey-free 68.
For the home contingent, the final round offers an opportunity to make an impression in a strong international field.
Om Prakash Chouhan (68-72-71) was 5-under and T-31, Anirban Lahiri (70-73-69) was 4-under T-41, Yuvraj Sandhu (75-68-72) was T-54, Karandeep Kochhar (72-72-72) was even par and T-63 as was Saptak Talwar (71-73-72) and Shiv Kapur (72-72-73) was 1-over and T-68.
The tournament has been playing catch-up after storms cost almost five hours on the opening day, with fading light also interrupting play on Saturday.
Chacarra, however has made the most of the disrupted schedule.
With a five-shot cushion, he starts the final round firmly in control, although Delhi Golf Club’s tight fairways and demanding greens could still provide a stern test.
(PTI News)
