New Delhi: Ronaldo sightings were just as important as Rory viewing while the third day rolled on with caution off the tee at the DP World India Championship. Niklas Norgaard’s caddie Kasper was quick to grab an autograph, and mobile phones clicked in unison as the ‘phenom’ No. 9 smiled from within the ropes.Meanwhile, on the ninth, said to be the trickiest hole at the Delhi Golf Club, McIlroy holed a 4ft bogey.Things were far from smooth for the double Masters champion after he finished his second round with a bogey-free four-under. McIlroy soon moved to a total of seven-under with a birdie to begin his afternoon round, only for all momentum to disappear. Roughed up by DGC’s Lodhi course, his day turned as dour as his brown baggy trousers, with four bogeys and a double bogey.Some brightness was restored as loyal followers were treated to an eagle from the greenside bunker on the 14th. He raised his arms in relief. Two-over for the day and four-under overall after 15 holes, Rory will return in the morning with 50 other players to finish his third round.The six-time Major winner may have fallen behind in the race to be Europe No. 1, the goal he pursues as he strives to equal Colin Montgomerie’s eight Order of Merit titles. Patrick Reed, with whom he had a very public feud after the American’s defection to LIV, holds the reins for now despite a missed cut in Spain and an injury withdrawal from Wentworth.“I can see how some of the guys would have an issue with the guys coming over and playing just the big events. I’ve come over and played everything from big events, small events, events in the middle. I’ve always cherished being a worldwide player,” he told TOI.Having taken the detour to the USPGA through Europe, the duo’s reconciliation was visible in their cordial exchange during a pre-tournament promotion here.The 2018 Masters winner flirted with the one-over cutline and, having survived for the weekend rounds, steadily picked up six shots in 13 holes to jump to T22.But the No. 2 in the Race to Dubai, Eugenio Chacarra, carries on with fierce focus.With curls flowing out of his fatigue cap, the Spaniard is showing no sign of retreat.Marching forward with military precision during the afternoon turnaround and wielding his trusty long putter, the 2025 Hero Indian Open champion of LIV descent shot four birdies in his first seven holes, including one from 40ft. Ten-under after two rounds, he has built his lead to 14-under with 25 holes to play, two strokes ahead of playing partner Angel Hidalgo of Marbella and Joost Luiten of Rotterdam.“Obviously they’re (Rory and Patrick) the best so for me to compete with them I need to bring my A-game,” said the man from Madrid, who needs a win to take the lead in the race.“Vamos!” was the vibe, but the green jacket of foliage enveloping DGC may yet have its say.Round 3 leaderboard: -14 Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra (ESP) 67-67, -4 (11 holes); -12 Joost Luiten (NED) 68-68, -4 (12 holes); Angel Hidalgo (ESP) 68-68, -4 (11 holes); -11 Daniel Hillier (NZ) 74-64, -15 (14 holes); Adrian Meronk (POL) 67-69, -3 (11 holes); Scott Jamieson (SCO) 68-67, -2 (11 holes).Select scores: -9 Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 70-69-68; -6 Patrick Reed (USA) 75-69, -6 (13 holes); -5 Aaron Rai (ENG) 69-74, -4 (14 holes); -4 Rory McIlroy (NIR) 70-68, -4 (15 holes).
