Om Prakash Chouhan Leads Indians After Grueling Day 3 at India Championship
Om Prakash Chouhan emerges as the top Indian golfer after a grueling day 3 at the India Championship in Delhi. Read the full update here.
In a tournament defined by weather delays and endurance, Om Prakash Chouhan has emerged as the best-placed Indian golfer following the third day of the India Championship. The DP World Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) joint-sanctioned event, boasting a massive 4 million USD prize purse, is currently unfolding at the Delhi Golf Club.
Chouhan, who has displayed remarkable resilience, currently sits in tied 30th place with a total score of five-under 211 (68-72-71). His journey to this position was anything but simple, as he had to battle both the course and a chaotic schedule caused by rain and fading light.
A Marathon Day for Chouhan
The tournament faced significant disruptions on Wednesday due to rain, which stripped away nearly five hours of playing time. This created a massive backlog, forcing players to compress their schedules. For Om Prakash Chouhan, Saturday became a test of physical and mental stamina.
Having played only two holes of his second round on Friday before play was halted, Chouhan was forced to play a staggering 34 holes on Saturday. He first completed his second round with a 72—featuring four birdies, two bogeys, and a double-bogey—which placed him in tied 29th at the halfway mark.
Without missing a beat, he transitioned into the third round, carding a 71 thanks to two birdies, a bogey, and several clutch par-saves. Despite the physical toll, Chouhan remained composed.
"My body was feeling very tight after playing 36 holes, but I stayed focused on my game. It was a steady round," Chouhan remarked. "I have played here many times, so I know how to plan my way around the course and where to position the ball. That experience has helped me."
The 12-time title winner, who currently ranks seventh in the DP World PGTI Order of Merit, emphasized that his priority remains his own performance rather than his standing among the Indian contingent. He revealed that he spent time in the training room after his second round to stay sharp and avoid distractions.
Global Leader and Tournament Standings
While Chouhan leads the charge for India, Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra remains the man to beat. Chacarra leads the field at 14-under par. His third round was interrupted when play was suspended at 17:44 local time due to fading light; at the time of the stoppage, he was four-under through 11 holes.
The competition has tightened significantly after the halfway cut, which was set at even-par 144. Out of the total field, 77 players successfully made the cut, though only 26 of them managed to complete their third round before the light failed on Saturday.
Other Indian Highlights
The day also witnessed a spectacular comeback from Yuvraj Sandhu. After starting his second round poorly—sitting at 3-over through the first seven holes—Sandhu staged a dramatic fightback. He fired seven birdies in his final 10 holes, including four in the closing five, to finish with a 68 and secure his place in the tournament. He currently sits at tied 60th, even-par through 50 holes.
Other notable Indian performances include:
- Anirban Lahiri: Tied 48th, sitting at 1-under through 16 holes of the third round.
- Saptak Talwar: The PGTI Order of Merit leader is tied 60th, remaining even-par through 12 holes of his third round.