Chennai, September 10, 2026: Ajeetesh Sandhu fired a bogey-free four-under 68 to extend
his lead to three shots after the third round of the INR 1 crore Chennai Open 2026 Powered
by Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL), at the TNGF Cosmo Golf Course.
The 37-year-old Chandigarh golfer (65-66-68), who began the day with a two-stroke
advantage, posted an error-free round consisting of four birdies to move to 17-under 199
heading into the final round.
Kolkata’s Viraj Madappa (72-67-63) fired the day’s lowest score, a nine-under 63, to climb
nine places from tied 11th to second at 14-under 202. The 28-year-old, a two-time DP World
PGTI winner and former Asian Tour champion, recorded an eagle on the par-four sixth, eight
birdies and a solitary bogey in his round today.
Overnight second-placed Stepan Danek (65-68-70) of the Czech Republic slipped to third at
13-under 203. The 29-year-old’s two-under 70 featured an eagle on the par-five 18th, three
birdies, a bogey and a double bogey.
Ajeetesh, a five-time DP World PGTI winner and former Asian Tour champion, was pleased
to negotiate the added pressure of leading without dropping a shot.
