Khalin Joshi leads Nava Raipur Open by 2 shots after bogey-free R2
Synopsis
Khalin Joshi has gone 36 holes without a bogey at the inaugural ₹1 crore Nava Raipur Open — and his two-shot lead heading into the weekend underlines why he is already a two-time PGTI winner this season. With heavy rain forcing a back-nine-only format and a four-way logjam two strokes back, the final rounds promise a compelling finish.
Key Takeaways
Khalin Joshi leads the Nava Raipur Open at nine-under 59 after two bogey-free rounds at Fairway Golf & Lake Resort, Naya Raipur .
His lead stands at two shots over a four-way group at seven-under 61 , including Aryav Shah , Subash Tamang , Akshay Neranjen , and Raunil Kukar .
Heavy rain forced the Tournament Committee to limit each round to the back nine only.
The cut fell at three-under 65 ; 56 of 132 players advanced to the final two rounds.
Joshi is a two-time PGTI Tour winner this season and sits 12th in the Race to the India Championship .
Khalin Joshi strengthened his grip on the inaugural ₹1 crore Nava Raipur Open on 16 September, carding a bogey-free four-under 30 in the second round to move to nine-under 59 at the halfway stage — extending his lead to two shots at the Fairway Golf & Lake Resort in Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The 34-year-old Bengaluru golfer has not dropped a single shot across his opening 36 holes of the tournament.
Round 2 Scorecard and Standings
Joshi, who began the day with a one-shot cushion, made four birdies in a composed back-nine effort to consolidate his position at the top of the leaderboard. Sharing second place at seven-under 61 are a four-way group: Kolkata's 20-year-old Aryav Shah, who carded a three-under 31 with four birdies and one bogey; Nepal's Subash Tamang; Bengaluru's Akshay Neranjen; and Panchkula's Raunil Kukar.
Tamang, 24, was among the joint lowest scorers of the round, firing a bogey-free 29 featuring five birdies to surge into contention. Seven players share sixth place at six-under 62, including Sunit Chowrasia of Kolkata and Veer Ahlawat of Gurugram — the 2024 DP World PGTI Rankings champion. Chowrasia recently earned promotion to the DP World PGTI circuit after winning three consecutive NexGen events and topping those rankings.
Rain Forces Format Change
Heavy rainfall rendered the course unsuitable for full 18-hole rounds, prompting the Tournament Committee to restructure each of the four rounds to be played exclusively over the back nine. The cut fell at three-under 65, with 56 players from the original field of 132 advancing to the final two rounds.
Joshi on His Game Plan
Joshi attributed his consistency to sharp ball-striking and precise iron play. 'It was another solid day,' he said. 'I felt a little more tentative and less comfortable than yesterday, but continued to hit quality shots throughout the round. I'm pleased with the way I played.'
The Bengaluru golfer identified specific holes as reliable birdie opportunities. 'The 12th is drivable, while the 13th is a short par five where a good tee shot gives you an excellent birdie opportunity,' he said. 'I've hit good tee shots on both holes and taken advantage. Hopefully, I can continue doing that over the final two rounds.'
He also credited his approach play: 'My game has been solid from tee to green. I've also been hitting my approaches close to the flags, so I haven't faced too many long birdie putts.'
Joshi's Season Context
The Nava Raipur Open is shaping up as a potential third title for Joshi this season — he is already a two-time winner on the PGTI Tour in 2024 and currently sits 12th in the Race to the India Championship standings. A strong finish here could meaningfully improve his ranking position with the season entering its final stretch.
Point of View
Making his two-shot buffer more meaningful than the number suggests. The real subplot is the chasing pack: Tamang's bogey-free 29 signals he has the firepower to close the gap quickly, while veterans like Chowrasia and Ahlawat bring proven closing ability. If Joshi's ball-striking holds, a third title this season is realistic — but the format change means one bad hole could flip the leaderboard.
NationPress
16 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is leading the Nava Raipur Open after Round 2?
Khalin Joshi of Bengaluru leads the Nava Raipur Open at nine-under 59 after two rounds, holding a two-shot advantage over four players tied at seven-under 61. He has not dropped a bogey across either round.
Why is the Nava Raipur Open being played over the back nine only?
Heavy rainfall left the full course unsuitable for 18-hole rounds, prompting the Tournament Committee to stage each of the four rounds exclusively over the back nine. The format change applies to all rounds of the event.
Who are Joshi's closest challengers at the Nava Raipur Open?
Four players share second place at seven-under 61: Kolkata's Aryav Shah, Nepal's Subash Tamang, Bengaluru's Akshay Neranjen, and Panchkula's Raunil Kukar. Tamang was among the joint lowest scorers in Round 2 with a bogey-free five-birdie 29.
What is the prize money for the Nava Raipur Open?
The Nava Raipur Open carries a total purse of ₹1 crore, making it a significant event on the PGTI Tour calendar. It is the inaugural edition of the tournament, being held at Fairway Golf & Lake Resort in Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
How has Khalin Joshi performed on the PGTI Tour this season?
Joshi has won twice on the PGTI Tour this season and currently sits 12th in the Race to the India Championship standings. A victory at the Nava Raipur Open would give him a third title for the season.
