Quim Vidal will take a three-shot lead into the final round of the Delhi Challenge after firing a bogey-free six-under-par 66 at Classic Golf & Country Club.
The Spaniard, who shared the lead after the opening round in the Indian capital on Thursday, now sits at 17 under par. His closest challenger is England’s Joshua Berry at 14 under, following his maiden HotelPlanner Tour title at the Kolkata Challenge last week.
The 25-year-old has made four cuts in five starts on the Road to Mallorca this season, despite struggling to find his best form in Asia last year.
“Pretty solid round, I played pretty good and made no mistakes,” said Vidal. “I had a good save on ten for par, that gave me a little bit of a push for the back nine, and I chipped it really close on the par fives, especially for tap-in birdies at 16, so really good.
“I stayed calm because the first nine holes it was a little bit slower but I finally made a good birdie on eight after staying patient, so just hit some good shots.”
Vidal’s birdie at eight came at the perfect time, as he went on to pick up further gains at 11, 14, 15, and 16, before rolling in another at the last.
“The course isn’t easy, it is pretty firm and if you aren’t in a good spot, it is really tough. Those 50-to-60-yard shots, you never know how it is going to bounce with the wind. You have to be smart and play your own game.
“It is very early in the season, so with a win you can play more relaxed for the full year, so it would be great. I’ll probably just try to keep doing the same and put the ball in the right spots and stay efficient.”
Berry, meanwhile, is chasing back-to-back HotelPlanner Tour titles in India. Austria’s Lucas Nemecz, currently ninth on the Road to Mallorca Rankings, is a further shot back at 13 under, alongside fellow countryman Maximilian Steinlechner and American Davis Bryant.
Vidal will be joined by Berry and Steinlechner in the final group tomorrow at 10:45 AM local time.
