Gurugram, February 1, 2025 – In an unprecedented move for The International Series, the third round of the International Series India presented by DLF at DLF Golf and Country Club featured its first-ever shotgun start. This change, prompted by persistent fog delays, set the stage for a day full of dramatic twists and breakthrough performances.

 

 

 Anirban Lahiri of India pictured on Saturday, February 1, 2025 during Round Three of The International Series India. CREDIT- Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

 

Shotgun Start: A Tournament First

 

Weather Forces a New Format

 

Thick fog over the past few days caused numerous delays, leading tournament organizers to adopt a shotgun start for rounds three and four. This innovative format ensured the event could be completed by Sunday, much like last year’s Mercuries Taiwan Masters, which also saw shotgun starts due to weather disruptions.

 

Early Dominance by Niemann

 

Chilean star Joaquin Niemann capitalized on the new format, reaching seven under for the tournament after just eight holes. Playing alongside Japan’s Kazuki Higa and American Ollie Schniederjans, Niemann maintained a commanding lead, aided by a birdie on the third hole and consistent pars thereafter.

 

International Leaderboards

 

Top Contenders

 

 

Joaquin Niemann (Chile) during the International Series India ( Credit-  Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour)

 

• Joaquin Niemann (Chile): Now at -7, Niemann continues to dominate the leaderboard.
• Kazuki Higa (Japan): In the same group as Niemann, Higa trails by one shot.
• Ollie Schniederjans (USA): Positioned three shots behind Niemann.
   

Other Notable Performances

 

• Travis Smyth (Australia) and Eugenio Chacarra (Spain): Jointly tied in fourth, four shots behind the leader.
• Bryson DeChambeau (USA): Despite his star status as the current US Open champion, he finds himself six shots back at -1.

 

Indian Talent on Display
 

Breakthrough for Local Golf
 

A historic moment for Indian golf unfolded as 15-year-old amateur Kartik Singh became the youngest ever Indian to make the cut on the Asian Tour.

 

Kartik Singh: Scored a one-under-par 71 in round three, taking his total to four over at the halfway stage and ensuring his place inside the cut line (set at eight over). Although Singh struggled later—dropping eight shots in nine holes to reach 12 over—his achievement has already sparked significant interest.

 

Leading the Indian Contingent
 

• Gaganjeet Bhullar and Anirban Lahiri: Both were three over par through eight holes when darkness halted play, marking them as the highest-placed Indian players on the course.
• Karandeep Kochhar: The only local player to remain under par in round three, moving to seven over par with two birdies and one bogey through nine holes.
• Overall, 10 Indian golfers have made the cut on this challenging Gary Player-designed course.

 

Looking Ahead
 

Tournament Dynamics
 

Niemann’s brilliant performance positions him well as he eyes back-to-back titles on The International Series, following his triumph at the season-ending PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers in December. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the leaders and the emerging Indian talent as they prepare for the final round.
 

Final Round Schedule
 

Play is set to resume at 7:30 am tomorrow, weather permitting, with the final round scheduled to begin at 11:10 am. With the stage set and the pressure mounting, the concluding action promises to deliver further surprises in this inaugural US$2million event—the first of the season on The International Series and the second stop on the Asian Tour following last week’s Smart Infinity Philippine Open.
 

As the final rounds approach, fans and players alike are bracing for an exhilarating finish to this historic tournament.