Ajeetesh Sandhu produced a bogey-free 68 to reach 17-under, while Viraj Madappa’s day-low 63 lifted him into second place.

Ajeetesh Sandhu extended his advantage to three strokes after keeping a clean card in the third round of the Chennai Open 2026 Powered by Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL).

The 37-year-old Chandigarh golfer (65-66-68) made four birdies in his 68 to reach 17-under 199 at TNGF Cosmo Golf Course.

Sandhu began with a succession of pars before back-to-back birdies at the ninth and 10th gave his round momentum. The five-time DP World PGTI winner remained bogey-free over the closing stretch, maintaining control despite leaving a few opportunities unused.

“It was a solid round,” Sandhu said. “The feeling is naturally a little different when you begin the day in the lead, so you have to account for that pressure.

“The birdies on the ninth and 10th were particularly important. Making those putts helped me settle down and manage the rest of the round.”

Sandhu said he would continue focusing on one shot at a time but expects to need more birdies on Sunday, with several proven winners still in contention.

Kolkata’s Viraj Madappa (72-67-63) made the biggest move of the day, climbing nine places into second at 14-under 202. His 63 featured an eagle at the par-four sixth, eight birdies and one bogey.

Overnight co-leader Stepan Danek (65-68-70) slipped to third at 13-under. His round included an eagle, three birdies, one bogey and a double bogey.

Jairaj Singh Sandhu and Amardeep Malik shared fourth at 12-under.

Race to the DP World India Championship leader Saptak Talwar fell to tied 14th at 8-under following a 73. Defending champion N Thangaraja was tied 23rd at 5-under after a 72.

The top 24 on the DP World PGTI Order of Merit will qualify for the season-ending DP World India Championship.

Photo – PGTI