The short version
- Eugenio Chacarra leads the DP World India Championship by two shots after completing eleven holes of the third round before play was stopped due to darkness.
- Rory McIlroy fell ten shots off the pace following an erratic performance that included back-to-back bogeys, jeopardizing his standing in the season-long rankings.
- Patrick Reed remains at the top of the Race to Dubai leaderboard, holding a narrow advantage over Chacarra and McIlroy as the tournament concludes.
The third round of the DP World India Championship was suspended due to darkness, leaving Eugenio Chacarra with a commanding two-shot lead at Delhi Golf Club. The twenty-six-year-old Spaniard had already established himself as the primary contender after posting consecutive rounds of sixty-seven to sit one shot clear at ten under par entering Saturday. His momentum continued into the final day, where he birdied four of his first seven holes to extend his advantage before officials called a halt to play.
Chacarra’s performance places him in a critical position for the season-long Race to Dubai rankings. He is currently second in the standings, trailing only American Patrick Reed. A victory at this event would allow Chacarra to overtake Reed and claim the summit of the rankings. The pressure of this potential shift appears to have fueled his aggressive start on Saturday, cementing his place at the top of the leaderboard with eight holes remaining.
The field behind Chacarra is tightly packed, with several players within striking distance if play resumes. Fellow Spaniard Angel Hidalgo and Dutchman Joost Luiten share second place at twelve under par. Both golfers had completed their rounds or were near completion before the suspension. Scottish golfer Scott Jamieson sits one shot further back at eleven under, while New Zealander David Hillier and Polish player Adrian Meronk also occupy that position. The proximity of these contenders suggests a competitive finish if weather conditions permit a return to the course.
Rory McIlroy experienced a significant downturn in his fortunes during the suspended round. The six-time major winner, who had played a bogey-free sixty-eight on Friday to secure an early start on Saturday, struggled to find his rhythm. After birdying the opening hole, McIlroy dropped four shots over the next four holes. His scorecard reflected a mix of high and low moments, including back-to-back bogeys on the ninth and tenth holes.
Despite the errors, McIlroy produced a highlight moment by holing out from a bunker for an eagle three at the fourteenth hole. However, this recovery was not enough to offset his earlier mistakes. He finished his portion of the round at four under par, placing him ten shots off the lead. This drop in performance is particularly concerning given his third-place standing in the Race to Dubai, where he trails both Reed and Chacarra.
Patrick Reed, the defending champion and current leader of the Race to Dubai, played a steady front nine before the suspension. The 2018 Masters winner completed thirteen holes, mixing five birdies with a single bogey. His round included a spectacular eagle two at the fourth hole, achieved by holing out from 150 yards. Reed finished his segment of play at six under par, sitting two shots ahead of McIlroy and maintaining his grip on the season-long title.
Other notable players in the field include Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin, who is four shots adrift at eleven under after completing fourteen holes. Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood sits five shots back at nine under par following a four-under sixty-eight. Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre remains well-placed at eight under with five holes of his third round remaining. The depth of the field ensures that any changes in leadership could occur quickly once play resumes.
The tournament has been affected by weather conditions throughout the week, contributing to the early suspension on Saturday. Organizers must assess whether daylight and weather will allow for a completion of the final round. The outcome of this event will not only determine the winner of the DP World India Championship but also significantly impact the Race to Dubai standings. With Chacarra poised to potentially overtake Reed, the stakes are high for all top contenders as they prepare for the final day of competition.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC Sport↗Chacarra leads as McIlroy fades before play halted
