Saptak Talwar in action during Round One of the Saudi Open 2025 presented by PIF at the Dirab Golf & Country Club near Riyadh on Wednesday. The Delhi golfer shot a course record 64 to hold the early lead at the $1 million event. Image courtesy Asian Tour.
By Rahul Banerji
Delhi’s Saptak Talwar birdied his final hole in fading light at Dirab Golf & Country Club for a course record 8 under-par 64 and the first round lead in the Saudi Open presented by PIF on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old has played in only a few Asian Tour events since turning professional in 2021 but made the most of his outing near Riyadh with four birdies each on the front and back nines in a bogey free round.
Defending champion John Catlin of the US, the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, and Australia’s Jack Thompson shared second place on 65s at the tour’s season-ender.
Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong and Jazz Janewattananond, Bjorn Hellgren from Sweden, Charles Porter of the US and Moroccan amateur Adam Bresnu were on their heels with 66s.
Chinese-Taipei’s Chang Wei-lun, playing in the last group with Talwar, was seven under till his final hole – the ninth as they started on 10.
However, he made a bogey after failing to get up and down from the edge of the green.
Japan’s Kazuki Higa shot a 69 to be tied for 24th, starting well in his bid to wrap up the Asian Tour Order of Merit title.
Making Thursday’s cut will put him within touching distance and require Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent, in second place, to record a top four finish to have any chance of catching up.
Vincent, who won The International Series Rankings three weeks ago, returned a 70.
Breakout result
Talwar won for the first time as a professional this year, at the Adani Invitational on the Professional Golf Tour of India on his home Jaypee Greens course and he showed some of that form on Wednesday.
“I was honestly anticipating some wind today,” said Talwar, who played college golf at Sacred Heart University in NCAA Division 1.
“When I came in this morning it was pretty quiet and I was just hoping it stays like that, because the guys in the morning were kind of making some birdies.
“Happy to get off to a good start and take advantage of the calmer conditions. I think it’ll get windy at some point.
“I’ve played a lot of golf this year. Some good, some bad, but struggled putting four rounds together. So, yeah, one down, hopefully I can put together three more.”
The Indian, who tied for sixth at the Mandiri Indonesia Open last year for his best result on the Asian Tour, hit a gap wedge to 12 feet on the ninth and drained the birdie putt.
Khalin Joshi too started well, firing a 4 under 68 for a share of 16th place alongside seven others while Ajeetesh Sandh, who skipped defending his Vishwa Samudra Open title in Delhi this week, was T39 on 2 under 70.
Low year
Catlin is hoping to end a disappointing season well, admitting that a few setbacks had been on his mind this year that affected his form.
Last year Catlin was crowned the Asian Tour Order of Merit champion for the first time after an inspired season.
He won twice, came second twice – after two play-off loses – and became the first player on the Tour to shoot a 59.
He was also voted the Player’s Player of the Year, for the second time in his career.
However, he said, events at the end of 2024 had a profound impact on him, and it had taken time to heal. His mother passing away in October was far and away the most significant of those.
He said: “You know, I wouldn’t be a pro golfer if it wasn’t for all the support she gave me when I was a really little kid and junior golfer, and she took me to all the tournaments.
“She was a big part of the process, and a big supporter of what I do, and just a loving person. And so, you know, last year it actually happened on the Wednesday of Jakarta, but I found out from my dad after the final round.”
Catlin explained she had been stable for a while and there was a huge emotional shock when she passed, the week of the Indonesian Masters.
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