Eugenio Chacarra strengthened his impressive record in India by taking a one-shot lead into the weekend at the US$4 million DP World India Championship, while a dramatic recovery from Yuvraj Sandhu helped six Indians survive the halfway cut.
Chacarra added a second successive 67 at Delhi Golf Club to reach 10-under 134. The Spaniard, who has recorded one victory and two other top-five finishes across four previous starts in India, overcame a late bogey to remain ahead of Scotland’s Scott Jamieson.
Jamieson also shot 67 to reach nine-under, with Angel Hidalgo, Adrian Meronk, Joost Luiten, Thomas Detry and Joel Girrbach sharing third place at eight-under.
Om Prakash Chouhan remained the leading Indian. He recovered from an early double bogey after resuming his weather-delayed second round, adding a 72 to his opening 68. At level par, he was tied 29th and safely through to the weekend.
Yuvraj produced the home contingent’s most remarkable turnaround. After opening with a 75, he stood three-over for the championship with 10 holes remaining. Seven birdies over his closing stretch, including four across the final five holes, transformed his position.
His four-under 68 lifted him to one-under 143 and tied 53rd, securing a weekend place that had appeared unlikely earlier in the round.
Anirban Lahiri joined Yuvraj in tied 53rd following rounds of 70 and 73. Shiv Kapur, Karandeep Kochhar and Saptak Talwar completed the Indian qualifiers at even-par 144, exactly where the cut fell.
Rory McIlroy led the Major champions at six-under after rounds of 70 and 68. Shane Lowry recovered from an opening 75 with a 65, while Aaron Rai, Justin Rose and Patrick Reed also advanced. Ryan Fox missed out, while Danny Willett withdrew through illness.
Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood reached five-under with rounds of 70 and 69. Laurie Canter joined him after producing the championship’s lowest round, a seven-under 63 that represented a 13-shot improvement on his opening 76.
With seven players separated by two strokes, Chacarra’s advantage is narrow. His familiarity with India may offer confidence, but a crowded leaderboard ensures the championship remains wide open.
Photo – DPWT
