Khalin Joshi carried his winning form home, producing an eagle and nine birdies to establish a four-shot lead at Karnataka Golf Association.

Khalin Joshi fired a career-low, bogey-free 11-under 61 to take a commanding four-stroke lead after the opening round of the INR 1 crore Bengaluru Open 2026 powered by IndianOil.

Competing at his home course, the 34-year-old Bengaluru golfer recorded an eagle at the par-five 11th and nine birdies during a flawless start to the tournament’s fifth edition.

Joshi arrived at KGA after winning last week’s Nava Raipur Open, his third DP World PGTI title of the season. He began the week seventh in the Race to DP World India Championship.

Local teenager Manoj S also kept a clean card, making seven birdies in a 65 to occupy second place. Delhi’s Shaurya Bhattacharya recorded eight birdies against two bogeys to take third with a 66.

Mari Muthu R, defending champion N Thangaraja, Order of Merit leader Saptak Talwar and former Asian Tour winner Himmat Singh Rai shared fourth at five-under 67.

Joshi’s girlfriend caddied for him for the first time in a DP World PGTI event, having previously carried his bag on the Asian Development Tour and Asian Tour.

“She keeps the atmosphere light and has a calming influence on me,” Joshi said. “She is also a very good reader of greens. I asked for her help on a few important putts, and she got every line right.”

Joshi admitted to feeling nervous on the opening tee, but a solid first drive quickly settled him. His familiarity with a course he has played since the age of four then helped him build momentum.

Veer Ahlawat and newly promoted Sunit Chowrasia were among six players sharing eighth at four-under 68.

The Bengaluru Open is the final event before the top 60 in the 2026 DP World PGTI Order of Merit are confirmed. Those finishing inside the mark will retain their playing rights and avoid Qualifying School, which begins on October 2.