NEW DELHI – Japanese golfer Keita Nakajima shot a bogey-free 7-under 65 to take a two-stroke lead and move closer to winning his second title on the European Tour after the third round of the DP World India Championship on Saturday.
Nakajima, a 25-year-old former top-ranked amateur, has two European Ryder Cup stars behind him, with Tommy Fleetwood (69) in second place and Shane Lowry (69) one stroke behind in third place.
Rory McIlroy, the centerpiece of Derry Golf Club and second in the rankings, shot a 68 and entered the final round in a tie for 15th place, seven strokes behind the lead.
“I’m probably two shots too far to have a realistic chance,” McIlroy said.
Nakajima birdied four of the first eight holes, then made three consecutive birdies starting at No. 12, totaling more than 70 feet and leapfrogging then-leader Fleetwood. He made par on the way home and maintained his lead as he looked to win his first tour title since the Hero Indian Open in March 2024.
He said the secret to his good performance in the third round was being able to observe his playing partner Lowry.
“I loved the tempo of his swing and imitated him, so my swing was better than yesterday and my mindset was great,” Nakajima said.
Fleetwood, who held the lead overnight, birdied two of the first three holes and the par-5 eighth. His only bogey came on No. 17 after a three-putt from 30 feet, but he recovered with a final birdie to advance to the final group.
“Keita hasn’t moved forward enough to be in full control,” said Fleetwood, who won the Tour Championship on the PGA Tour in August and was Europe’s top scorer in winning the Ryder Cup last month. “Enjoy yourselves for tomorrow. The final group is always the best. You have to enjoy the moment. You never know when it will come again.”
