Bengaluru, September 23 (Daily Kiran) : Khaleen Joshi has taken a commanding lead at the Bengaluru Open 2026, held at the Karnataka Golf Association, after a stellar performance on September 23. The 34-year-old golfer shot a four-under 68, bringing his total score to 15-under 129, which gives him a six-shot advantage over his nearest competitor.
Starting the day with a four-stroke lead, Joshi had previously set the course ablaze with an impressive 11-under 61 in the first round. Battling cloudy, cool, and windy conditions at his home course, he recorded five birdies and only one bogey throughout the day. His solitary bogey came at the seventh hole, where he faltered after a bogey-free start.
Joshi, who has already clinched three PGTI titles this season, arrived in Bengaluru fresh off his victory at the Nava Raipur Open. He began the week ranked seventh in the ‘Race to India Championship.’
Local teenager Manoj S. secured second place with a score of two-under 70, totaling nine-under 135. The 18-year-old’s exciting round featured five birdies, one bogey, and one double bogey.
Four players tied for third place, each scoring seven-under 137. This group included Manu from Gurugram (69-68), Saptak Talwar from Greater Noida (67-70), Shourya Bhattacharya from Delhi (66-71), and Veer Ahlawat from Gurugram (68-69). Manu was the 2023 DP World PGTI Ranking Champion, while Talwar is currently leading the ‘Race to India Championship.’ Ahlawat topped the DP World PGTI rankings in 2024.
Bengaluru’s Mari Muthu R. fell from joint fourth to seventh place with a score of six-under 138. The challenging conditions, including strong winds and difficult flag placements, posed a significant test compared to the first round. The halfway cut was set at one-over 145, allowing 52 of the 132 participants to advance to the next two rounds.
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