Keita Nakajima is targeting more success in India as he opened up a two-shot lead ahead of the final round of the 2025 DP World India Championship.
India has been a happy hunting ground for the Japanese star, who won the 2024 Hero Indian Open at DLF Golf and Country Club before finishing second at the same event this year.
Related: Tommy Fleetwood takes narrow lead into weekend at DGC
And he looked right at home once again at Delhi Golf Club on Saturday as he made seven birdies in a bogey-free 65 to reach 17 under par and rise to the top of the leaderboard.
But he has a world-class chasing pack just behind him, with reigning FedExCup Champion Tommy Fleetwood his nearest challenger on 15 under and Major champion Shane Lowry another shot further back.
View this post on Instagram
Fleetwood topped the leaderboard for large parts of the day on Saturday after three front-nine birdies saw him turn in 33. But he struggled for momentum on the back nine as he parred the first seven holes before dropping his first shot of the day on the 17th.
He got the shot back on the 18th after a lucky bounce off a tree helped him get up and down for a closing birdie.
Nakajima started the day two shots behind halfway leader Fleetwood but closed the gap with a ten-foot birdie at the first. The 25-year-old’s putter remained hot on the front nine as he holed from 13 feet for a birdie on the fifth before picking up further shots on the sixth and eighth to turn in 32.
View this post on Instagram
The highlight of Nakajima’s round came on the par-three 12th as he drained his 40-foot birdie effort to grab a share of the lead.
Another long-range birdie putt dropped on the 13th to hand Nakajima the solo lead, and he made it three in a row at the 14th from nearly 20 feet to move two shots in front. He safely parred his way home to head into the final round with a two-shot cushion.
View this post on Instagram
Jens Dantorp, Alex Fitzpatrick, Daniel Hillier and Brian Harman share fourth place on 13 under, one shot behind Lowry, with Viktor Hovland and Brandon Robinson Thompson then at 12 under.
Player Quotes
Keita Nakajima: It was a great day. I played with Shane Lowry. I love his swing tempo and his golf style, so I learned from Shane a lot. My mindset was so great, yeah. I copied his swing tempo every shot. That’s why he hits great.
I had two good tournaments in India already, so yeah, I had confidence playing here, and also one more day, just keep going. Same thing, same mindset. I copy Shane’s swing. But simple: Play golf.
View this post on Instagram
The back nine is tough. My plan was back nine is playing hard, but luckily three birdies and bogey-free round. Happy with that.
I’m looking forward to playing with the top players in the world tomorrow. Same mindset, same swing. Yeah, just play golf.
Tommy Fleetwood: I’ve done so much good so far, like you say. I felt like there was a good stretch, even though I felt like I was holing putts for par, I felt like I was playing really, really well through the front nine. Felt really controlled, felt like I was playing great, and outside of the back end there, played lovely.
It’s always the best, isn’t it (winning).That’s what we practise for, that’s what we play for, chances to win and that feeling walking off the 18th green when you have won. I’ve still got things I want to achieve this year and in my career, and this would be a great one. Yeah, looking forward to that opportunity. I really am. It’s nice to be playing well. Again, never take it for granted. Continue to work hard and enjoy these moments, and come out and give it my best shot tomorrow.
The fans have been amazing. Again, another part of the world where I feel really blessed and really grateful to have the support and the connection with the people that I’ve had this week, and it’s been an absolute pleasure and honour to play in front of the people and bring golf and a huge tournament to India and the Indian people. Really excited about tomorrow, and I think there’s a bright future ahead of everyone.
