Singapore, 13-01-2022

Khalin Joshi takes first round lead with a 67 at The Singapore International; Ajeetesh Sandhu is tied third

India’s Khalin Joshi overcame strong winds and a demanding yet impressive golf course to claim the first-round lead in The Singapore International today at Tanah Merah Country Club.

Joshi shot a brave five-under-par 67 on the Tampines Course, ahead of Englishman William Harrold who finished in second place after a 69 in the US$1 million event, which is the penultimate tournament of the 2020-21 season on the Asian Tour.

India’s Ajeetesh Sandhu and American Paul Peterson carded 70, while Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond and Pavit Tangkamoprasert, Chan Shih-chang from Chinese-Taipei plus South African Mathiam Keyser returned 71.

Abhijit Chadha was the third Indian in the top-10 as he was in a large group of players who fired 72 to be tied ninth.

Shubhankar Sharma struck a 73 to be placed tied 20th. 

Scores were high as the field battled wind speeds that reached 35km per hour, but Joshi was undeterred as he nailed seven birdies and dropped just two shots.  

“It was obviously a very challenging golf course to start off with; it’s long, it’s windy and the flags were all tough, so it wasn’t very easy, greens are firm,” said Joshi, who has won once before on the Asian Tour, the 2018 Panasonic Open India.

“So, I’m just very pleased with the way I’m playing and with the way my round went today. Hopefully we can continue with the way I’m playing and see what happens at the end of the week.”

The Indian will have enjoyed his first day success even more as he has family in Singapore including his grandmother, sister and uncle. He’s been visiting the country since he was a child. 

Added Joshi: “It’s been a while since I’ve been leading on the Asian Tour. It’s obviously feeling very good. But it’s a four-day tournament, so you know, there’s a long way to go still. Obviously, it’s a challenging golf course, everybody is going to make mistakes. The key is to stay patient and whenever you have the chance to capitalise, whenever you have chances to make birdies to capitalise, and you know, just enjoy the set because it’s going to be a long week for sure.”

Source: Asian Tour

Picture: Asian Tour