Khalin Joshi shoots 63 to lead J&K Open 2026 in Srinagar
Synopsis
Khalin Joshi's bogey-free-but-for-one 63 at Royal Springs is the kind of round that wins tournaments — nine birdies, two chip-ins, and a two-shot lead at the ₹1 crore J&K Open 2026. With a teenager in second place and the course already playing short due to waterlogging, this Srinagar leaderboard has every ingredient for a compelling final three days.
Key Takeaways
Khalin Joshi shot eight-under 63 — nine birdies, one bogey — to lead the J&K Open 2026 after round one on 4 August 2026 .
Joshi holds a two-shot lead over Ajeetesh Sandhu and 18-year-old rookie Harman Sachdeva , both at six-under 65 .
Two chip-ins on the 3rd and 15th holes were the highlights of Joshi's round at Royal Springs Golf Course , Srinagar .
The tournament carries a prize purse of ₹1 crore and is part of the DP World PGTI calendar.
The par-four 11th hole was shortened to a par-three due to waterlogging from heavy rain.
Khalin Joshi fired a scintillating eight-under 63 on 4 August 2026 to seize the first-round lead at the ₹1 crore J&K Open 2026 at the Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar. The Bengaluru golfer's commanding effort gives him a two-shot cushion heading into day two of the DP World PGTI event.
How Joshi Constructed His Round
The 33-year-old compiled nine birdies against a solitary bogey on the 17th hole, with two chip-ins providing the round's defining moments. Joshi holed out from the left of the green on the par-three 3rd and chipped in again from short of the 15th green.
'I putted really well and also chipped in twice, which was special because I hadn't holed a chip in a long time. I'm very happy with the way I played today,' Joshi said. He added that the Royal Springs setting played a part in keeping him relaxed: 'We all treat coming to Srinagar like a holiday, with the golf being a bonus. The course is stunning, and I don't think any picture can do justice to this place. It feels like we're in heaven.'
Joshi, a former Asian Tour winner and multiple champion on the DP World PGTI, arrives in Srinagar in strong form, having claimed the Andhra Open in Visakhapatnam in April 2026. He has fond memories of Royal Springs, having posted strong results at the venue in 2014 and 2021.
Sandhu and Sachdeva Share Second Place
Ajeetesh Sandhu of Chandigarh and Gurugram-based rookie Harman Sachdeva are tied for second after both carding six-under 65s. Sandhu, 37, mixed eight birdies with two bogeys, crediting a key birdie on the demanding par-four 4th hole for steadying his round.
'The birdie on the fourth changed the momentum and helped me settle down,' said Sandhu, who returned from a month at home focused on gym work and coaching sessions. A former Asian Tour winner, he led Rajasthan Regals to victory at the inaugural DP World PGTI '72 The League' and has recorded back-to-back fifth-place finishes at the Andhra Open and the Boulders Classic this season.
The 18-year-old Sachdeva delivered the only bogey-free card of the day in just his seventh start of the season. His previous best on the PGTI was a tied-fifth at the DP World Players Championship in Kolkata.
Rest of the Leaderboard
Gaurav Pratap Singh (Noida), Divyanshu Bajaj (Kolkata), Angad Cheema (Chandigarh), Rashid Khan (Delhi), and the Czech Republic's Stepan Danek are tied for fourth at three-under 68.
Course Conditions
Heavy rain over the preceding two days forced organisers to shorten the par-four 11th hole, playing it as a par-three due to waterlogging. The adjustment affected scoring calculations for the field across the opening round.
With three rounds remaining, Joshi will look to convert his early advantage into a second PGTI title of the 2026 season at one of Indian golf's most scenic venues.
Point of View
Bogey-free on his Srinagar debut, is the subplot worth watching: Indian golf's next generation is arriving faster than the establishment expected. The waterlogging-enforced par-three conversion on the 11th is a reminder that course management, not just ball-striking, will separate the field over four days at Royal Springs.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who leads the J&K Open 2026 after round one?
Khalin Joshi of Bengaluru leads the J&K Open 2026 after shooting an eight-under 63 at Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar on 4 August 2026. He holds a two-shot advantage over Ajeetesh Sandhu and rookie Harman Sachdeva.
Where is the J&K Open 2026 being played?
The J&K Open 2026 is being played at Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. The ₹1 crore event is part of the DP World PGTI calendar.
What was special about Khalin Joshi's opening round?
Joshi carded nine birdies and just one bogey for an eight-under 63, highlighted by two chip-ins — on the par-three 3rd and the 15th holes. He described it as one of his better putting and chipping performances in recent memory.
Who is Harman Sachdeva, the J&K Open 2026 joint-second placed golfer?
Harman Sachdeva is an 18-year-old rookie from Gurugram playing his first competitive round in Srinagar. He returned the only bogey-free card of the day, a six-under 65, in just his seventh PGTI start of the 2026 season.
Why was the 11th hole at Royal Springs changed for the J&K Open 2026?
Heavy rain over the two days preceding the tournament caused waterlogging on the par-four 11th hole, forcing organisers to shorten it and play it as a par-three for the opening round.
