Bogey-free Khalin Joshi stays well out in front at J&K Open

Runaway leader Khalin Joshi maintained his iron grip on the J&K Open with a bogey-free run at Srinagar’s Royal Springs Golf Course on Thursday. Image courtesy DP World PGTI.

By Rahul Banerji

Runaway leaderKhalin Joshi opened up a comfortable six-shot cushion on the field on Moving Day of the Rs 1 crore J&K Open at Royal Springs in Srinagar on Thursday.

Bangalore’s Joshi, a past Asian Tour winner, returned a 6 under par 65 to maintain his vice-like grip on the first event of the domestic circuit’s post-summer schedule,  the DP World PGTI said.

The 33-year-old, who began the day seven shots clear of his pursuers, followed his first two rounds of 63 and 66 with another composed display to reach 19 under 194 tournament aggregate.

Delhi’s Rashid Khan (68-68-64), also a former Asian Tour winner, had the day’s best card of 7 under 64 to sit second on 13 under 200 behind Joshi, whose second successive clean round featured six birdies and extended his bogey-free run to 37 holes. 

The former Asian Tour winner has made just one bogey all week, which came on the par-four 17th hole during the opening round.

While his ball-striking was not as sharp early in the round, Joshi found a way to keep moving forward before rediscovering his rhythm on the back nine.

“I didn’t hit the ball as well on the front nine as I had over the first two days, but making two birdies after missing the fairways was important,” Joshi said later. 

Timely conversions

“I found some momentum on the back nine, hit a few good shots and converted some good putts. Overall, I’m feeling confident and positive about my game.”

Joshi now has has rounds of 63, 66 and 65, but he is not allowing his commanding position to change his approach heading into the final day.

“Hitting fairways is the key here because it creates plenty of birdie opportunities,” he said. 

“My goal tomorrow will be to find as many fairways as possible. If I can do that, I believe the score will follow. There is just one round left, so I need to stay in the present and continue doing what I’ve done over the first three days.”

Joshi has also enjoyed the distinctive surroundings at Royal Springs. He recalled seeing a bear run across the third fairway from about 100 yards away during the Pro-Am and joked that he hoped it would prove to be his good-luck charm.

The fruit trees around the course have added another local flavour to his week.

Fruity fun

“I’ve had mulberries and what I think were cherries or apricots near the third hole, as well as a few apples during the practice and opening rounds. It’s another part of what makes this place so special,” Joshi said.

Chandigarh’s Ajeetesh Sandhu (65-72-65), another former Asian Tour winner, climbed to third at 11 under 202 following a third-round 65.

Panipat’s 21-year-old Shubham Jaglan (70-68-66) and Angad Cheema (68-68-68) of Chandigarh shared fourth place on 9 under 204.

DP World PGTI Ranking leader Saptak Talwar (69-71-65), who spent the summer competing on the HotelPlanner Tour, was tied for sixth with Kshitij Naveed Kaul (70-69-66) at 8 under 205.

Brijesh Kumar (69-74-67) of Panchkula posted the first hole-in-one of the tournament on the par-3 11th on Thursday and shares 20^th place on 3 under 210.

Also read: Joshi opens up big advantage at halfway stage of J&K Open