The DP World India Championship is heating up, and the final round promises to be a nail-biter as Ryder Cup stars Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry trail Japan’s Keita Nakajima by just two and three shots, respectively. But here’s where it gets intriguing: Rory McIlroy, despite a solid four-under 68 on Saturday, finds himself seven shots back, leaving fans wondering if he can mount a comeback. And this is the part most people miss—Nakajima’s dominance in India isn’t new. He’s already tasted victory here in 2024 and secured a runner-up finish in 2025, making his current lead feel almost inevitable. Is this his tournament to lose?
Fleetwood, who led at the halfway stage, and Lowry, the first-round leader, are hot on Nakajima’s heels. Fleetwood’s day was a mix of brilliance and luck—he opened with two birdies in his first three holes and another at the eighth, but a three-putt bogey at the 17th threatened to derail him. Fortunately, a fortunate ricochet off a tree at the 18th set him up for a closing birdie, keeping him firmly in contention. “Two behind is close enough where I’m still in control,” Fleetwood said, adding, “Being in the final group is always great—you’ve got to enjoy these moments.” But here’s the controversial part: Is Fleetwood’s reliance on luck a sign of inconsistency, or just the unpredictability of golf?
Lowry, meanwhile, matched Fleetwood’s three-under 69 but admitted frustration after a shaky back nine. “I started hitting loose shots and made some silly mistakes,” he said. Despite this, he remains just three shots off the lead, proving why he’s a force to be reckoned with. Jens Dantorp stole the show with a stunning seven-under 65, equaling Nakajima’s round of the day. The Swede’s comeback from an opening bogey, including seven birdies in nine holes, was nothing short of spectacular. But can he sustain this momentum on Sunday, or is he too far behind to truly challenge?
Viktor Hovland also made waves with a bogey-free six-under 66, positioning himself in joint-eighth. With the leaderboard so tightly packed, Sunday’s final round could see a dramatic shift in fortunes. Will Nakajima seal his second DP World Tour victory, or will Fleetwood, Lowry, or a dark horse like Dantorp steal the spotlight? One thing’s for sure—this tournament is far from over.
What’s your take? Do you think Nakajima’s experience in India gives him the edge, or will Fleetwood’s resilience pay off? Let us know in the comments below! And don’t forget to catch the final round live on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 7am on Sunday. If you’re not a Sky subscriber, you can still stream the action contract-free with NOW. (https://www.nowtv.com/membership/watch-sky-sports?DCMP=ilcskysportsnc_articlelink)
