Khalin Joshi tops leaderboard

Chandigarh, December 3

Bengaluru’s Khalin Joshi braved an injured wrist to score the first round’s best 6-under-66 at the Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational at Chandigarh Golf Club today.

Joshi (28), a winner of four titles, had an eventful day as he sank two eagles, five birdies and three bogeys en route his 66 to take a one-shot lead at the Rs1.5-crore event.

Local lad Akshay Sharma and Bengaluru’s M Dharma occupied the second place. Among the prominent names, Anirban Lahiri (70) was tied 10th, SSP Chawrasia (71) was tied 16th, Gaganjeet Bhullar (72) was tied 33rd, Jyoti Randhawa (74) was tied 53rd while tournament host Jeev Milkha Singh (75) was placed tied 68th.

Joshi, currently ranked 10th on the PGTI merit list, said: “I was thinking about withdrawing from the tournament but the good work by Nav, golf association physiotherapist, helped me with the wrist injury,” said Joshi.

Sharma, currently fourth on the PGTI merit list, said: “I didn’t have a great start but the eagle on the 13th really lifted my confidence.”

M Dharma, a two-time winner on the PGTI, turned it on with six birdies after a bogey on his opening hole. Gurugram’s Veer Ahlawat and Noida-based Amardeep Malik were joint fourth with scores of 68. Bengaluru’s Chikkarangappa, the 2018 champion, was tied for sixth at 69, along with Chandigarh duo Angad Cheema and Shabeg Singh Kooner and Faridabad’s Abhinav Lohan.