DP World India Championship 2026: Spaniard Chacarra’s consistency earns lead, McIlroy off the pace

Eugenio Chacarra plays a shot during the DP World India Championship Golf at the Delhi Golf Club in New Delhi. | Photo Credit: RV MOORTHY

A consistent Eugenio Chacarra grabbed the lead at the DP World India Championship, but a test of fortitude lies ahead for the Spaniard. Holding a two-shot advantage, Chacarra must keep his composure as he faces 25 holes on the final day on Sunday.

The rain-affected opening round continued to force players to play catch-up. Chacarra, the Race to Dubai leader, played 13 holes in the morning session to complete his second round before galloping through 11 holes in the third to end the day on 14-under overall.

Chacarra made his move on the front nine of the third round, carding four birdies.

His closest rivals, overnight leaders Joost Luiten and Angel Hidalgo, maintained a similarly hectic pace to sit two shots behind.

Chacarra’s rival in the Race to Dubai standings, Rory McIlroy, was off the pace. With former Brazil striker Ronaldo among the large weekend crowd following him at the Delhi Golf Club, McIlroy made three bogeys and a double bogey on the front nine of the third round.

The six-time Major champion then gave the crowd something to cheer about, holing a bunker shot on the par-five 14th for an eagle. At four-under overall, McIlroy slipped to tied 40th, with 21 holes left to play on Sunday.

American Patrick Reed, second in the Race to Dubai standings, roared into contention with a six-under score in his incomplete third round. At six-under overall, Reed climbed to tied 22nd to keep his title hopes alive.

Six Indians made the cut, one more than in the previous edition. For the third straight day, Om Prakash Chouhan (five-under overall, tied 30th) led the home contingent. Anirban Lahiri was a distant second among the Indians, at tied 48th.

Italian Gregorio De Leo and England’s Dan Bradbury posted the best scores among the few players who managed to complete their rounds. Both carded six-under, and head into the final day with the significant advantage of having to play only 18 holes.

Bradbury spoke about seeing Darius Van Driel “running from the eighth green to the ninth tee” in an effort to complete as much of his round as possible. “It is very, very helpful to only have to play 18 holes on Sunday. That is an extra two, maybe three hours in bed,” Bradbury said.

His compatriots will need all the rest they can get to recover ahead of Sunday’s demanding schedule.

The scores (top four)

14-under: Eugenio Chacarra (67, 67, four-under after 11 holes); 12-under: Joost Luiten (68, 68, four-under after 12 holes), Angel Hidalgo (68, 68, four-under after 11 holes); 11-under: Daniel Hillier (74, 64, five-under after 14 holes), Adrian Meronk (67, 69, three-under after 11 holes), Scott Jamieson (68, 67, two-under after 11 holes)