Nakajima doubles lead in Hero Indian Open
Keita Nakajima of Japan waves to the crowd on the 18th green during day three of the Hero Indian Open at DLF Golf and County Club on March 30, 2024 in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images)
Japan’s Keita Nakajima carded a four-under 68 to double his advantage and take a four-stroke lead into the final of her Hero India Open.
The former world amateur number one (23), who was two clear at halfway, found himself tied for the lead with France’s Romain Langasque through nine holes at DLF Golf and Country Club.
But he birdied the 11th and 12th to regain the lead, then cancelled out a bogey at the 14th with another birdie at the last to lead on 18-under-par in New Delhi.
“One more day,” Nakajima said. “I will try my best. Keep the same tempo, all the same, just keep going. I feel very confident in my game. My ball-striking and swing has been pretty good this week.
“I had great experiences in my amateur career, but I’m a professional now. I played the Japan Tour last year and a few other events where I played well, great experience. I’ll just keep going.”
Nakajima is four shots ahead of Langasque, who shot 70, and Malaysia’s Gavin Green, the 2017 runner-up, who was four over after starting the tournament with back-to-back double bogeys.
He salvaged a 72 in round one and is 18-under for his last 52 holes after adding an eight under par 64 to rounds of 72 and 66.
“It was a solid round,” said Green (30), who has three runner-up finishes on the DP World Tour but is still seeking his maiden win.
“Lots of fairways, gave myself lots of looks and made some putts. That’s the difference. You’ve got to hit fairways out here. It’s intimidating off the tee. I felt like today was a nice step in the right direction. It was just a solid day.
“It’s funny. It’s a course that doesn’t suit the bombers, someone that hits it long. It’s intimidating off the tee; you have to narrow your focus.
“I feel like I’ve done pretty well so far. We’re just going to go out and play our game, keep it on the fairway, keep it on the green, add it all up at the end and see what happens.”
Langasque lost ground as he played his back nine two over par, and a birdie on the last saw him draw level with Green for a share of second.
“I took my chances, and I think this is what I will do tomorrow if I start well,” the Frenchman said.
“On this course, it can happen, many things, like a birdie against a bogey or a birdie against a double bogey and then that’s three shots.
“(Keita) was very solid today, he played well. If he gets this rhythm tomorrow it’s going to be tough to reach him, but I will do my best to start the round well, put pressure on him, seeing me back there. It can go quick.”
Frenchman Jeong Weon Ko and Italy’s Matteo Manassero share fourth on 13 under par, while Veer Ahlawat remains the highest-placed home hope as he carded a three under par 69 to reach 12 under.
