Chacarra leads Italian Open by two shots, chases second 2025 title
Synopsis
Starting four shots back, Eugenio Chacarra posted the joint-best round of the day — a six-under 65 — to steal a two-shot lead at the Italian Open. With Niemann stumbling through three straight bogeys and Wallace lurking just behind, Sunday's final group at Circolo Golf Torino sets up as one of the most compelling finishes on the DP World Tour this season.
Key Takeaways
Eugenio Chacarra fired a six-under 65 on Saturday, 28 June to lead the 83rd Open d'Italia at 17-under-par .
Chacarra holds a two-shot lead over Joaquín Niemann and Matt Wallace , who are tied second at 15-under .
Niemann dropped three consecutive bogeys after the turn, surrendering the overnight lead.
Wallace backed up his course record-equalling 62 with a four-under 67 to stay in contention.
India's Yuvraj Singh Sandhu missed the cut at the tournament.
Sunday's final round format was adjusted due to forecast afternoon thunderstorms.
Spain's Eugenio Chacarra surged to the top of the leaderboard at the 83rd Open d'Italia on Saturday, 28 June, firing a six-under 65 at Circolo Golf Torino in Turin to open a two-shot lead heading into the final round. The 26-year-old Spaniard sits at 17-under-par, one round away from securing his second DP World Tour title of the season.
How Chacarra Built His Lead
Chacarra began the day four shots behind overnight leader Joaquín Niemann, yet produced one of the day's standout rounds despite testing afternoon conditions. He opened with a birdie at the first, added another at the seventh, and reached the turn in 32 after two more birdies on the outward half. A bogey at the 13th briefly interrupted his rhythm, but he responded with three consecutive birdies coming home to post the joint-best score of the day among the contenders.
Chacarra is already the winner of the Hero Indian Open last year and the KLM Open earlier this season. A victory on Sunday would make it two titles in three weeks.
What Chacarra Said
'It wasn't playing easy,' Chacarra said. 'The wind was changing a lot and the heat made the course challenging. I think I did a great job staying patient like I have all week, playing my game and controlling what I can control.'
On the quality of the field chasing him, Chacarra added: 'I have enough with myself that if I need to focus on what Joaquín or the other guys are doing, I'd go crazy. There are a lot of great players behind me and on this course people can go really low. I just need to keep controlling what I can control and hopefully I'll have a chance down the stretch.'
Niemann and Wallace Share Second Place
Niemann, who held the overnight lead, fell back after an even-par 71 left him at 15-under, tied with England's Matt Wallace. The Chilean had looked set to extend his advantage, collecting five birdies and just one bogey on the front nine, but three successive bogeys after the turn dramatically tightened the contest. A further dropped shot at the 15th compounded his difficulties, and although he birdied the 17th, a closing bogey meant he surrendered the outright lead.
Wallace remained firmly in contention after backing up Friday's course record-equalling 62 with a four-under 67, mixing six birdies with two bogeys to join Niemann in second place.
Rest of the Leaderboard
Germany's Nicolai von Dellinghausen and Spain's Ángel Ayora shared fourth place at 13-under, while South Africa's Dylan Frittelli was sixth at 12-under. Denmark's Jeff Winther, who matched Wallace's course record earlier in the day, and Scotland's Richie Ramsay were tied seventh at 11-under — six shots off the pace but still within range if conditions shift.
India's Yuvraj Singh Sandhu had earlier missed the cut at the tournament.
Sunday Format Change
Tournament officials adjusted Sunday's tee times and format due to forecast afternoon thunderstorms. Chacarra, Niemann, and Wallace will form the final group as they battle for the Italian Open title. Chacarra, currently sixth in the Race to Dubai Rankings, enters the final round with momentum and a clear two-shot cushion.
Point of View
Not just regular-season events. The more interesting subplot is Wallace: back-to-back rounds of 62 and 67 on the same course suggests conditions suit his ball-striking, and he is the wildcard the field should fear most on Sunday. For Chacarra, the psychological edge is real, but a two-shot lead on a course where a 62 has already been carded twice this week is anything but safe.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who leads the Italian Open after the third round?
Spain's Eugenio Chacarra leads the 83rd Open d'Italia at 17-under-par after firing a six-under 65 on Saturday. He holds a two-shot advantage over Joaquín Niemann and Matt Wallace heading into the final round.
What is Eugenio Chacarra's record this season?
Chacarra won the KLM Open earlier in 2025 and the Hero Indian Open the previous year. A victory at the Italian Open on Sunday would give him two DP World Tour titles in three weeks.
Why did Joaquín Niemann lose the lead?
Niemann, who held the overnight lead, posted an even-par 71 after making three successive bogeys following the turn, followed by another dropped shot at the 15th. He slipped to 15-under and is now tied second with Matt Wallace.
How did Matt Wallace perform in the third round?
Matt Wallace carded a four-under 67, mixing six birdies with two bogeys, to back up his course record-equalling 62 from Friday. He is tied second at 15-under, two shots behind Chacarra.
Why were Sunday's tee times changed at the Italian Open?
Tournament officials adjusted the final-round format and tee times due to forecast afternoon thunderstorms in Turin. The leading trio of Chacarra, Niemann, and Wallace will still compete together in the final group.
