Srinagar, Aug 6 (IANS) Khalin Joshi shot a six-under 65 to end the third round with a comfortable six-shot lead at the INR 1 crore J&K Open 2026 being played at the picturesque Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar on Thursday.
The 33-year-old Bengaluru golfer, who began the day seven shots clear, followed his first two rounds of 63 and 66 with another composed display to reach 19-under 194. Delhi’s Rashid Khan (68-68-64), also a former Asian Tour winner, fired the day’s best score of seven-under 64 to move into sole second place at 13-under 200, six shots behind Joshi.
Khalin Joshi’s second successive bogey-free round featured six birdies and extended his run without a dropped shot to 37 holes. The former Asian Tour winner has made just one bogey all week, which came on the par-four 17th during the opening round.
While his ball-striking was not as sharp early in the round, Joshi found a way to keep moving forward before rediscovering his rhythm on the back nine.
“I didn’t hit the ball as well on the front nine as I had over the first two days, but making two birdies after missing the fairways was important,” said Joshi. “I found some momentum on the back nine, hit a few good shots and converted some good putts. Overall, I’m feeling confident and positive about my game,” he said.
Joshi has now produced rounds of 63, 66 and 65, but he is not allowing his commanding position to change his approach heading into the final day. “Hitting fairways is the key here because it creates plenty of birdie opportunities,” he said.
“My goal tomorrow will be to find as many fairways as possible. If I can do that, I believe the score will follow. There is just one round left, so I need to stay in the present and continue doing what I’ve done over the first three days.”
Joshi has also enjoyed the distinctive surroundings at Royal Springs. He recalled seeing a bear run across the third fairway from about 100 yards away during the Pro-Am and joked that he hoped it would prove to be his good-luck charm.
The fruit trees around the course have added another local flavour to his week. “I’ve had mulberries and what I think were cherries or apricots near the third hole, as well as a few apples during the practice and opening rounds. It’s another part of what makes this place so special,” Joshi said.
Chandigarh’s Ajeetesh Sandhu (65-72-65), another former Asian Tour winner, climbed to third place at 11-under 202 following a third-round 65. Panipat’s 21-year-old Shubham Jaglan (70-68-66) and Chandigarh’s Angad Cheema (68-68-68) shared fourth place at nine-under 204.
PGTI Ranking leader Saptak Talwar (69-71-65), who spent the summer competing on the HotelPlanner Tour, shared T-6th position with Kshitij Naveed Kaul (70-69-66) at eight-under 205. Brijesh Kumar (69-74-67) of Panchkula posted the first hole-in-one of the tournament on the par-3 11th today. Brijesh was tied 20 th at three-under 210.
The par-four 11th hole was shortened and played as a par-three due to waterlogging from heavy rain before the start of the tournament.
--IANS
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