Staff WriterNakajima began the day two shots behind Fleetwood, but that gap vanished faster than a politician’s promise. He rolled in a ten-footer at the first, then added birdies at five, six, and eight to turn in 32. But the fireworks came on the back nine. First came a 40-foot missile on the par-three 12th. Then another bomb at 13. Then a barely more reasonable 20-footer on 14.
After three straight long-range birdies, Nakajima had the outright lead—and he never let go. He parred his way home and walked off the 18th looking as relaxed as if he’d just spent the afternoon fishing.
“It was a great day,” Nakajima said. “I played with Shane Lowry. I love his swing tempo and his golf style, so I learned from Shane a lot. My mindset was so great, yeah. I copied his swing tempo every shot. That’s why he hits great.”
Copying a major champion is a bold plan. Copying him successfully is downright dangerous.
“I had two good tournaments in India already, so yeah, I had confidence playing here, and also one more day, just keep going. Same thing, same mindset. I copy Shane’s swing. But simple: Play golf.”
Simple. Right. Just play golf. Everyone at 13-under and worse will be thrilled to hear how easy it is.
Fleetwood Hunts from Two Shots Back
Tommy Fleetwood holds the reputation of golf’s nicest assassin, and he spent most of Saturday pressing gently on Nakajima’s windpipe before letting the pressure slip late. The reigning FedExCup champion looked smooth early, with three birdies on the front nine to reach 15-under and turn in 33. But the rhythm vanished on the back as par after par after par stalled his charge.
A bogey at 17 didn’t help, but golf’s gods owed him one. On 18, a pulled drive smacked off a tree like a pinball bumper and ricocheted back into play, allowing him to salvage a birdie and close with 70. Luck of the Scouser.
“I’ve done so much good so far,” Fleetwood said. “I felt like I was playing really, really well through the front nine. Felt really controlled, felt like I was playing great, and outside of the back end there, played lovely.”
He knows exactly what’s at stake Sunday.
“It’s always the best, isn’t it (winning). That’s what we practise for, that’s what we play for, chances to win and that feeling walking off the 18th green when you have won. I’ve still got things I want to achieve this year and in my career, and this would be a great one… come out and give it my best shot tomorrow.”
If momentum counts for anything, Fleetwood’s closing birdie might be worth more than mere arithmetic.
Lowry Lurking, Pack Closing In
Shane Lowry sits just three back at 14-under and looks perfectly positioned to make someone nervous. Behind him, a quartet sits at 13-under: Jens Dantorp, Alex Fitzpatrick, Daniel Hillier and Brian Harman. Lurking one shot further back are Viktor Hovland and Brandon Robinson Thompson at 12-under. That’s enough world-class talent to make Sunday feel like a major that overslept and woke up in Delhi.
Nakajima knows it will be a street fight.
“The back nine is tough. My plan was back nine is playing hard, but luckily three birdies and bogey-free round. Happy with that,” he said. “I’m looking forward to playing with the top players in the world tomorrow. Same mindset, same swing. Yeah, just play golf.”
He keeps saying that, “just play golf,” as if the rest of us don’t occasionally consider setting fire to our clubs. But there’s a calm to Nakajima this week – even more so than usual. India suits him.
Delhi Golf Club respects him. And on Sunday, 17-under gives him a two-shot head start on another slice of history at the DP World India Championship.
Fleetwood wants it. Lowry wants it. The chasing pack has teeth. But Nakajima? He has momentum.
And momentum, unlike fairways, can’t be missed.
Sunday is going to be a thriller.
