Khalin Joshi Takes Command At Srinagar's Royal Springs With A Flawless 66 And Seven Shot Breakaway

What began as a modest two‑shot overnight lead quickly transformed into a statement of authority from the 33‑year‑old Bengaluru professional, who backed up his opening 63 with another bogey‑free masterclass.

Joshi’s second round featured three birdies and a momentum‑shifting eagle, distancing him from Delhi’s Rashid Khan and Chandigarh’s Angad Cheema—both tied for second at six‑under 136. Starting on the 10th tee, he opened his scoring on the 12th with a crisp five‑iron to two feet, followed by a neat six‑footer on the 13th. His third birdie came on the par‑four third, courtesy of a lob wedge clipped to three feet.

The highlight arrived on the par‑five seventh. After splitting the fairway, Joshi launched a seven‑iron from 190 yards to 20 feet and drained the eagle putt with authority.

“That was one of the best putts I made all day,” Joshi said. “I struck the ball solidly and gave myself more chances than yesterday. I probably could’ve gone even lower, but keeping the card bogey‑free is always satisfying,” he added.

Through 36 holes, Joshi has dropped just one shot—on the 17th during his opening round—underscoring the control and rhythm that have defined his week so far. With a sizable cushion heading into the weekend, Joshi remains committed to the fundamentals.

“The rough is thick, so hitting fairways will be the key,” he said. “I’ll keep giving myself birdie looks and hopefully convert a few more.”

He also spoke fondly of the serene Royal Springs setting, where the Dal Lake backdrop and occasional bear sightings add a unique charm. “The scenery is unbelievable. It’s exciting to see the bears—at a safe distance—and I’m enjoying the atmosphere and the fact that I’m playing good golf,” he said.

Rashid Khan and Angad Cheema stayed closest with matching 68s. Cheema, runner‑up at the Boulders Classic in April, continues to show strong form. Four players—Stepan Danek, Gaurav Pratap Singh, Ajeetesh Sandhu and Joshua Seale—sit tied fourth at five under 137.

18‑year‑old rookie Harman Sachdeva, who impressed with a bogey‑free 65 on day one, slipped to tied eighth at four‑under 138. DP World PGTI Ranking leader Saptak Talwar dropped to tied 23rd at two‑under 140.

Due to heavy pre‑tournament rain, the par‑four 11th played as a par‑three. The cut settled at one‑over 143, with 50 of 131 players advancing.

The J&K Open 2026 is supported by Event Title Partner J&K Tourism and hosted at Royal Springs Golf Course. DP World continues its pivotal role as PGTI’s Umbrella Partner, joined by Axis Bank, Amul, Amrutanjan Enerlyte, Campa, Air India Maharaja Club and Kalyani—reflecting a shared commitment to elevating Indian professional golf and showcasing J&K’s growing prominence as a golfing destination.

During the inauguration, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah outlined an ambitious roadmap to restore Kashmir’s stature as one of India’s premier golfing hubs. He announced plans to institutionalise the J&K Open as an annual fixture and establish a dedicated golf academy to nurture emerging talent.

With Joshi in full command and the scenic region embracing a renewed golfing vision, the weekend promises both high‑quality competition and a glimpse of Kashmir’s sporting future.