Nuh, March 2 (NationPress) The leading teams – UP Prometheans and Rajasthan Regals – remained neck-and-neck on the pivotal day of the DP World PGTI's 72 The League. This thrilling competition sets the stage for an exciting final round on Tuesday at the Classic Golf & Country Club, with four teams vying for a place in the finals.

At the start of the day, both Rajasthan and UP were tied at 32 points. However, in their match against the rejuvenated Mumbai Aces, UP managed to secure only three points, bringing their total to 35.

In contrast, the Regals achieved victories in both their singles matches earlier in the day, and added a half-point when their successful duo of Chikkarangappa S. and Dhruv Sheoran squared off against Jhared Hack and Stepan Danek, reaching a total of 39 points. These two teams are set to clash in the decisive match.

Both Nava Raipur and Charminar Champions also remain in contention for the finals, each having moved to 31 points, just four behind the Prometheans.

Rajasthan faced setbacks in their other two matches against Raipur, with DP World PGTI Tour Order of Merit leader Honey Baisoya recording six birdies and an eagle in his first 12 holes of fourballs while playing alongside his captain, Amardeep Singh Malik. They defeated K. Prabagaran and Michele Ortolani with a score of 4&3.

Vikrant Chopra and Shivendra Singh Sisodia achieved the most significant victory of the day, winning 5&3 against Ayaan Gupta and Aryaman Mohan in foursomes. Rajasthan's captain, Ajeetesh Sandhu, remarked, “While it would have been preferable to gain a bit more ground, entering the final round as leaders is always positive.”

“It means we must perform well again tomorrow to secure a spot in the top two. Our strategy becomes slightly restricted in the final round as we will have to field some players who haven't participated in one of the three formats used,” Sandhu added.

Baisoya revealed that he and Malik chose a distinctive strategy prior to the round. “On the first tee, I told Hammer (Malik) that I was mentally competing against him in match play. I asked him what he expected to shoot, and he said 7-under. I then claimed I would surpass him with a 10-under! Both Ortolani and Prabagaran played excellently; we could have clinched the win much earlier,” Baisoya noted.

UP captain Bhattacharya sank a 20-footer for birdie to take an early lead, and later converted a crucial 30-footer birdie on the 16th hole to go 2-up against Mumbai captain Veer Ahlawat, maintaining the advantage through 17 holes.

“It wasn't the day we hoped for, but it's better to have an off day now than during the finals. I am satisfied with my performance today and made several long putts. However, we need to elevate our game tomorrow against Rajasthan as a team,” Bhattacharya stated.

With Chikka and Sheoran halving their match on Monday, Anant Singh Ahlawat of Nava Raipur remains the only unbeaten player in the competition. Ahlawat was given a rest day by his team on Monday.

In the concluding match that was suspended during the first round on February 24 due to darkness, the Mumbai Aces and Nava Raipur finished their four-ball match with Mumbai winning the hole and halving the contest.

The final round of the league stage will take place on Tuesday, March 3, at the Classic Golf & Country Club. Besides the Rajasthan-UP match, the Charminar Champions will go head-to-head with the Mumbai Aces, while the Nava Raipur will face the last-placed Kolkata Classics.

League standings after the 4th round:

Rajasthan Regals – 39 points

UP Prometheans – 35 points

Nava Raipur – 31 points

Charminar Champions – 31 points

Mumbai Aces – 24 points

Kolkata Classics – 11 points