Nakajima stays on course for first Tour title in India

KEITA NAKAJIMA remained on course for a first DP World Tour title as he opened up a four-shot lead heading into the final round of the Hero Indian Open.

The Japanese has four wins on his home tour, topping the Order of Merit last season, but is playing in just his 11th DP World Tour event in New Delhi.

He brought a two-shot lead into the weekend after a pair of 65s and doubled that advantage on day three, carding a 68 to get to 18 under and lead the way from Malaysia’s Gavin Green and Frenchman Romain Langasque.

“One more day,” said the 23-yearold, who spent a record 87 weeks as the world’s top-ranked amateur. “I will try my best. Keep the same tempo, all the same, just keep going.

“I feel very confident in my game. My ball-striking and swing has been pretty good this week.

“I had great experiences in my amateur career, but I’m a professional now. I played the Japan Tour last year and a few other events where I played well, great experience. I’ll just keep going.”

Green carded the lowest round of the day by two shots with a 64, while Langasque shared the lead after turning in 32 but fell behind on the back nine to sign for a 70.

Green said: “It was a solid round. Lots of fairways, gave myself lots of lucks and made some putts. That’s the difference, you’ve got to hit fairways out here. It’s intimidating off the tee. I felt like today was a nice step in the right direction. It was just a solid day.

“I feel like I’ve done pretty well so far. We’re just going to go out and play our game, keep it on the fairway, keep it on the green, add it all up at the end and see what happens.”

Langasque was also pleased with his day, saying: “I think that was the most solid on this course at the moment. A small mistake on the 13th cost me an easy five, unfortunately 16 was a tough hole. I had such a bad lie in the rough and I chip-chip and two-putt. I had so many birdie opportunities, even on the last.

“I took my chances, and I think this is what I will do tomorrow if I start well. On this course, it can happen, many things, like a birdie against a bogey or a birdie against a double bogey and then that’s three shots.

“[Keita] was very solid today, he played well. If he gets this rhythm tomorrow it’s going to be tough to reach him, but I will do my best to start the round well, put pressure on him, seeing me back there. It can go quick.”

Italian Matteo Manassero and Frenchman Jeong weon Ko were five shots off the lead, two clear of England’s Sam Bairstow.