Hero Indian Open: Nakajima Produces Front Nine Masterclass to Share Lead with Chacarra in Round 2; 12 Indians Make the Cut

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Gurugram, March 28: Defending champion Keita Nakajima put on a dazzling display on the front nine at DLF Golf and Country Club, firing seven birdies in his first nine holes to set the tone for a brilliant second-round performance at the Hero Indian Open 2025 on Friday (March 28).

The Japanese golfer carded a stunning 6-under 66 to grab a share of the lead with Spain's Eugenio Chacarra at 4-under in the US$ 2.25 million event.

Nakajima and Chacarra finished two strokes ahead of a five-man group tied for third at 2-under, which included Jens Danthorp (71-71), Kiradech Aphibarnrat (71-71), Andrea Pavan (73-69), Matthew Jordan (69-73), and Joost Luiten (69-73).

On a challenging day where only two players managed to break 70 and just 11 players finished under par, Nakajima's scorching front nine stood out as the highlight.

Nakajima's Electric Front Nine

Starting his round in style, Nakajima made birdies on seven of his first nine holes, dropping no shots in the process. The only holes where he did not make birdies were the second and eighth. His blistering start helped him erase Chacarra's four-stroke overnight lead and even surge ahead for a brief period.

Despite cooling off slightly on the back nine, Nakajima showed resilience by sinking a crucial birdie putt from 20 feet on the 13th and draining a monster putt on the 15th to regain the outright lead. He battled through the final holes with key par saves but dropped a shot at the last to finish the day at 4-under.

"It was a great day, and also, it was so fun," Nakajima said after his round. "This is a tough course, but a fun course. Me and my caddie were talking about playing it like a fun course, staying patient, and keeping a smile. That was the key today."

Chacarra Holds His Ground

Eugenio Chacarra, who began his round on the 10th tee, also had an eventful day. He strung together three consecutive birdies on the 11th, 12th, and 13th holes and added another on the 15th to move to 6-under. However, a double bogey on the 17th halted his momentum, although he recovered quickly with birdies on the 18th and third holes.

Back-to-back bogeys on the fourth and fifth prevented him from taking sole possession of the lead, but he held on to finish at 4-under alongside Nakajima.

"Obviously, it was tough," said Chacarra. "The afternoon wave on a course like this is always tougher, and the wind picked up. But I'm pleased with the result. This course can punish a bad swing hard, so staying patient is key."

Indian Contingent: Bhullar Leads the Pack

A total of 12 Indian golfers made the cut, with Gaganjeet Bhullar leading the way at T-20 after rounds of 72 and 73. He was followed by Aman Raj, Ajeetesh Sandhu, and Shiv Kapur, all tied at 25th place.

Bhullar was satisfied with his performance, saying, "I played well yesterday and today. I drove the ball really well and hit lots of greens in regulation. The goal now is to maintain the same momentum for the weekend."

Aman Raj, making a return to competitive golf after a long injury layoff, was thrilled with his experience. "It was a roller coaster ride, but playing again after so long is a bliss. Once I got the green signal from my doctor, I worked hard in rehab and wanted to give it my best shot. I can't express how amazing it feels to be back."

The Cut Drama: Kartik Singh and Rayhan Thomas Miss Out

The cut fell at 6-over, with 68 players progressing to the weekend. However, teen amateur Kartik Singh (76-75) and Rayhan Thomas (72-79) missed out by a single stroke, marking a disappointing end to their campaigns.

Weekend Outlook: A Tight Battle Ahead

With Nakajima and Chacarra at the top, the weekend promises a thrilling contest, especially with the course playing tough. The duo will have to fend off a strong chasing pack, with Danthorp, Aphibarnrat, Pavan, Jordan, and Luiten all lurking at 2-under.

As the tournament moves into its third round, which is also known as a moving day, the Hero Indian Open can get wide open if Nakajima and Chacarra fail to maintain the same composure.