Bogey-free Khalin Joshi extends his lead at Nava Raipur Open

Event leader Khalin Joshi in action in round two of the Nava Raipur Open at Fairway Golf & Lake Resort in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday. Image courtesy DP World PGTI.

By Rahul Banerji

Khalin Joshi posted a second bogey-free round to extend his lead after the second round of the inaugural Rs 1 crore Nava Raipur Open at the Fairway Golf & Lake Resort in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday.

Joshi’s 4 under par 30 in the rain-affected tournament took his lead to two shots after 18 holes, the DP World PGTI said.

The 34-year-old from Bangalore(29-30), who began the day with a one-shot advantage, made four birdies to move to 9 under 59 at the halfway stage.

Heavy rain left the course unsuitable for full 18-hole rounds and the tournament committee decided to stage each of the four rounds over the back nine.

Joshi is a two-time winner on the DP World PGTI this season and currently 12th in the Race to the DP World India Championship that will send the top 24 into the $4 million event next month in Delhi.

Kolkata’s 20-year-old Aryav Shah (30-31) made four birdies and one bogey in a 3 under 31 to share second place on 7 under 61 with Nepal’s Subash Tamang (32-29), Akshay Neranjen (30-31) and Raunil Kukar (31-30).

Tamang, 24, produced the joint lowest score of the second round, making five birdies in a bogey-free 29 to climb into contention.

Joshi began his round with a birdie after using a hybrid off the tee and following it with a precise approach.

Solid golf

“It was another solid day,” Joshi said. “I felt a little more tentative and less comfortable than yesterday, but continued to hit quality shots throughout the round. I’m pleased with the way I played.”

The two consecutive bogey-free rounds have reflected the quality of Joshi’s ball-striking.

“My game has been solid from tee to green,” he said. “I’ve also been hitting my approaches close to the flags, so I haven’t faced too many long birdie putts.”

Joshi has made the most of the scoring opportunities on the 10th, 12th and 13th during both rounds.

“The 12th is drivable, while the 13th is a short par five where a good tee shot gives you an excellent birdie opportunity,” he said. 

“I’ve hit good tee shots on both holes and taken advantage. Hopefully, I can continue doing that over the final two rounds.”

Umed Kumar (33-29), Sunit Chowrasia (33-29), Veer Ahlawat (32-30), Sri Lanka’s Chalitha Pushpika (30-32), Vasu Sehgal (31-31), Bipin Mukhiya (30-32) and Karan Pratap Singh (32-30) were tied for sixth on 6 under 62.

Chowrasia earned promotion to the apex level after winning three consecutive NexGen events and finishing atop the rankings, while Ahlawat was the 2024 DP World PGTI Rankings champion.

The cut fell at three-under 65, with 56 players from the field of 132 advancing to the final two rounds.

Also read: Joshi takes first-round lead at rain-affected Nava Raipur Open