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

By Rahul Banerji

Khalin Joshi extended his lead on day two of the Rs 1 crore J&K Open at the Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old, who began the day with a two-shot advantage, followed his opening 63 with an assured 5 under par 66 to total 13 under 129 heading into the money rounds, the DP World PGTI said. 

Joshi’s bogey-free round featured three birdies and an eagle and he was well clear of Delhi’s Rashid Khan and Angad Cheema of Chandigarh who shared second place on 6 under 136.

Starting from the 10th tee, Joshi made his first birdie of the day on hole 12 with a five-iron to two feet of the flag. 

He followed it with a six-foot birdie conversion on 13 before picking up another shot soon after the turn, where he hit his lob wedge to three feet.

The defining moment came on the par-five seventh. Joshi found the centre of the fairway with his drive and struck a seven-iron from about 190 yards to 20 feet before rolling in the eagle putt.

“That was one of the best putts I made all day,” said the Bangalore golfer later. “I struck the ball solidly and gave myself more chances than I did yesterday, but I didn’t convert as many. 

Bogey-free

“Considering how well I hit the ball, I probably could have shot a little lower score, but I’m very pleased, especially to keep the card bogey-free.”

Joshi, a former Asian Tour winner who captured the Andhra Open Golf Championship in April, has dropped only one shot through 36 holes. His lone bogey came late in his opening round.

With a commanding cushion heading into the weekend, Joshi is determined to stay with the approach that has served him well over the first two days.

“The strategy will remain simple. The rough is quite thick, so hitting fairways will be the key,” he said. “I’ll continue giving myself birdie opportunities and hopefully convert a few more putts over the next two rounds.”

Joshi has also embraced the relaxed atmosphere at Royal Springs, where the striking surroundings—and occasional bear sightings—have enhanced the experience.

“It’s exciting to see the bears, although keeping a safe distance is important,” he said. “The scenery here is unbelievable, so I’m enjoying the atmosphere and the fact that I’m playing good golf.”

In chase

Two-time Asian Tour winner Rashid Khan (68-68) and Angad Cheema (68-68) remained Joshi’s closest challengers after returning second-round 68s to total 6 under 136. 

The Czech Republic’s Stepan Danek (68-69), Noida’s Gaurav Pratap Singh (68-69), Chandigarh’s Ajeetesh Sandhu (65-72) and Joshua Seale (69-68) shared fourth place on 5 under 137.

Eighteen-year-old Gurgaon rookie Harman Sachdeva (65-73), who produced the only bogey-free round on the opening day, slipped six places to tied eighth on 4 under 138.

DP World PGTI Ranking leader Saptak Talwar (69-71), who spent the summer competing on the HotelPlanner Tour, dropped from overnight tied ninth to tied 23rd at 2 under 140.

The cut fell at 1 over 143, with 50 of 131 players advancing to the last two rounds.

Also read: Joshi holds healthy edge on day one of J&K Open in Srinagar