Alex Fitzpatrick was determined to enjoy the challenge of pushing for a maiden DP World Tour victory despite a tiring third day at the 2026 Hero Indian Open.
The Englishman shot a level-par 72 around the demanding DLF G&CC on Saturday to stay at six under par, good enough for a share of second place with MJ Daffue as defending champion Eugenio Chacarra led by four strokes.
Scotland's David Law and first-round leader Freddy Schott shared fourth place on five under.
A birdie at the difficult 18th hole capped Fitzpatrick's round off in style and he said: "A great nine-wood in. The thing came down with snow on it so I was hoping it might stop softer than normal but it took a big bounce.
"I saw someone in front of me (Law) chip from the same place I was and it didn't look very fun. So I was hoping just to give myself a look inside of 15 feet and did. I hit a really nice chip and then lucky to hole the putt."
Summing up the day overall, he smiled: "Tiring, I'd say. Really feel like I just hit a couple bad shots and shot level par so happy with the way I fought but yeah, ready for bed already."
He will wake up refreshed and ready to chase down Chacarra, his playing partner along with Daffue in the final group.
Fitzpatrick, who finished tied for sixth at the Joburg Open earlier this month and has been in the top 20 in four of his six events since the turn of the year, said: "I've put myself in a good position going into tomorrow.
"Luckily I was in there not too long ago so hopefully I gained some experience from that, and just excited for the challenge."
Law has enjoyed a consistent, if low-key, week with rounds of 71, 70 and 70, with 14 birdies set against only seven bogeys and one double across the three rounds.
He said: "I think any time you break par round this golf course, it's a good effort. I've just been trying to hit as many greens as possible, like everyone, but generally playing pretty safe in relation to flags.
“I've putted really well this week, which has been important. I think with the greens being as fast and as slopey as they are, you're going to
have a lot of five, six-foot putts to save par."
Law won twice last season on the HotelPlanner Tour and, asked what a maiden DP World Tour victory would mean for him, he said: "Obviously a good result this week can set you up for a great season.
“I think the main thing is that I'm playing well, you know, and not to put too much pressure on the overall result but just take confidence from the fact that I'm playing well.
"The last few weeks I've shot some good scores and haven't had great weekends, and that was important for me this weekend to try and go upwards on the leaderboard rather than down and today was a good move towards that.”
