Khalin Joshi recovered from his first bogey of the week to post a one-under 33, while Angad Cheema moved within one stroke ahead of the final nine holes.

Khalin Joshi retained a slender one-shot advantage after the third round of the inaugural INR 1 crore SECL presents Nava Raipur Open 2026 at Fairway Golf & Lake Resort.

The 34-year-old Bengaluru golfer (29-30-33) made two birdies against his first bogey of the tournament to reach 10-under 92.

Heavy rain left the course unsuitable for full 18-hole rounds, forcing the Tournament Committee to stage all four rounds over the back nine. The title will therefore be decided over nine holes on Friday.

Joshi struggled to find his best from the tee and with his approaches. A poor drive led to a bogey at the 11th, but a brief suspension caused by rain and lightning helped him reset. He responded with consecutive birdies at the 12th and 13th before closing with five pars.

“I didn’t have my best game, but at least I didn’t play myself out of the tournament,” Joshi said. “I’m still very much in contention and hopefully I can produce my best golf tomorrow.”

The two-time DP World PGTI winner has conceded just one bogey through 27 holes. He entered the week 12th in the Race to the DP World India Championship.

Chandigarh’s Angad Cheema (34-29-30) emerged as Joshi’s nearest challenger after making four birdies in a bogey-free 30. The 36-year-old climbed from tied 13th to second at 9-under.

Seven players shared third at 8-under, leaving eight golfers within two strokes of the lead. The group included Anshul Patel, Badal Hossain, Karan Pratap Singh, Veer Ahlawat, Umed Kumar, Raunil Kukar and 18-year-old Pritish Singh Karayat.

Karayat made the day’s biggest move, firing a bogey-free 29 to climb from tied 36th, while Kukar slipped from second following a 33.

Photo – PGTI