Manu Gandas shot a brilliant 64 in the third round to move into joint lead with Shaurya Bhattacharya.
Pictures by Bibhash Lodh/BS News Agency.
Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency. Kolkata, February 19, 2026: Manu Gandas shot a brilliant six-under 64 in the third round to move into joint lead with Shaurya Bhattacharya. This event is part of the INR 1.5 crore DP World Players Championship 2026 being played at the Tollygunge Club in Kolkata.
Former DP World PGTI Order of Merit champion Manu Gandas (66-69-64), who was tied for seventh overnight and nine shots off the lead, carded an eagle, five birdies, and a bogey on Thursday to reach a total of 11-under 199.
Pictures by Bibhash Lodh/BS News Agency.
Shaurya Bhattacharya (64-62-73), the leader of the first two rounds, wasn't at his best on the third day. He shot 73 with two birdies and five bogeys to move into joint lead, with a total of 11-under 199.
Om Prakash Chauhan (64), Akshay Sharma (64), and Sanjeev Kumar (67) finished tied for third at 10-under 200.
PGTI thanks its title partner DP World and tour partners Amul, Victorious Choice, Campa, Amrutanjan Electro Plus, Golf Plus Monthly, and Golf Design India for their support in the development of the tour.
Manu Gandas, who has previously won at the Tollygunge Club, had a slow start, his first birdie coming after a superb tee shot on the par-3 eighth hole. He then made a strong comeback with a birdie on the ninth and a 17-foot eagle putt on the tenth.
He wasn't too affected by a bogey on the 12th hole and followed it up with three consecutive birdies, including a brilliant chip-in on the 14th and an 18-foot conversion on the 15th.
Manu said:
"My tee shots and approach shots were excellent today. I created a lot of opportunities for myself. I haven't been in full rhythm so far this season, but I'm slowly regaining my form. I enjoy playing in Tollygunge, and the memories of my 2024 win will motivate me for the final round."
Shaurya Bhattacharya, the leader of the first two rounds, had a relatively poor day on Thursday, missing several chip-putts.
Shaurya said:
"My club selection and decisions weren't right today. There wasn't much consistency. Now I'll try to start again and repeat the performance of the first two rounds."
Kolkata players Mohammed Sanju and Divyanshu Bajaj both finished tied for 36th with scores of one-under 209.