Chacarra poised to win as McIlroy fades in New Delhi
Eugenio Chacarra of Spain hits his second shot on the second hole on day three of the DP World India Championship at Delhi Golf Club on October 17, 2026 in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty images)
Eugenio Chacarra is in pole position to claim his third win of the season and leave Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy trailing in the Race to Dubai after a brilliant day-three performance in India.
The big Spaniard resumed his weather-delayed second round a shot off the lead at the DP World India Championship and walked off Delhi Golf Club two clear of the field with 25 holes to play.
He completed a second successive five-under 67 in the morning to lead by a shot from Scott Jamieson at halfway, then birdied four of his first seven holes in round three.
At 14-under par through 11 holes when play was suspended due to darkness, the Madrid native led by two shots over Joost Luiten and compatriot Angel Hidalgo.
Tom McKibbin was tied for seventh on 10-under through 14 holes of his third round. But while Shane Lowry followed a blistering morning 65 with a 69 to share 16th on seven-under, Rory McIlroy’s title hopes looked over.
The world number two, who is seeking a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai crown, went into the third round just four strokes behind Chacarra after completing a bogey-free 68 in the morning,
But he ran out of steam on a marathon day in New Delhi, dropping four shots in his first 10 holes in round three before holing a bunker shot at the 14th for an eagle three.
At four-under par through 15 holes, he was tied for 40th on four-under, 10 strokes behind the impressive Chacarra, who is projected to leapfrog Patrick Reed and top the Race to Dubai with three events of his season remaining.
Lowry was happy with his day’s work, having played 30 holes in 10-under par.
He resumed his second round three shots outside the cut line with 12 holes remaining, then played them in seven-under to shoot 65.
He started round three with three birdies in his first four holes to move into contention. But after following a bogey at the fifth with a birdie at the sixth, he was disappointed to lose momentum with 12 pars to finish.
“I got off to a great start and got myself back in the tournament,” Lowry said. “Then I just went stale on the back nine. Played all right, but just couldn't convert any chances.
“Going out this morning, honestly, I was half packing my bags to go home. I had 12 holes left and thought I needed to shoot four-under in the 12 holes and shot seven (under), so yeah, pretty happy with my whole day's work.
“Had 30 holes and shot 10-under for 30 holes. Hopefully I can go out and shoot a low one tomorrow. I'm too far back, but hopefully I can.
“Disappointed not to pick up a few more birdies, but a low one tomorrow, something in the mid-60s, and it's a good week.”
As for his season, he said: “Yeah, it's nice. Been a tough year. Few near misses. I lost a bit of confidence from that.
“To get to Ireland and do what I did was amazing. I think no matter what happens tomorrow or the rest of the year, I'll sit down at Christmas and have the Irish Open trophy on the table and I'll be happy with what I have.”
At the Buick LPGA Shanghai, Korea’s Hye-Jin Choi leads by a shot over compatriot Amy Yang, nine-under heading into the final round at Sheshan Golf Club.
But it was a tough day for Leona Maguire, who shot 77 to slip from 10th to 31st on five-over, while Lauren Walsh was 69th on 14-over after a 78.
As for the HotelPlanner Tour’s Hangzhou Open, Gary Hurley needs a career-low round to make the top 45 in the standings to qualify for the season-ending Grand Final.
Ranked 61st in the Road to Mallorca standings, he shot a one-under 71, leaving him joint 49th at five-under in an event where he needs a strong top-10 finish to move into the top 45 and join ninth-ranked Liam Nolan in Mallorca.
Denmark’s Hamish Brown shot his second nine-under par 63 of the week to lead by two shots from compatriot Kristian Hjort Bressum on 20-under.
In Belgium, Portumna rookie Sam Murphy tied for sixth in the Hulencourt Alps Tour Grand Final, finishing 14th in the Order of Merit.
He closed with a level par 72 to finish six shots behind France’s Alexandre Vandermoten on six-under.
Hugh Foley was 24th on two-over after a 70, while Castle’s Robert Moran, 34th on five-over after a 73, finished eighth in the Order of Merit, less than €4,000 outside the top five who earned promotion to the HotelPlanner Tour.
