Visakhapatnam: Khalin Joshi put himself in an enviable position during the second round of the prestigious INR 1 crore Andhra Open 2026 at the East Point Golf Club. With a remarkable second consecutive three-under 68, he advanced to the lead with a strong total of six-under par 136.
The 33-year-old golfer from Bengaluru has shown remarkable consistency, sitting comfortably ahead of overnight leader Dhruv Sheoran, who managed a one-under 70, leaving him at five-under 137. This close competition sets the stage for an exciting weekend of golf.
Chikkarangappa S., a seasoned player with 14 DP World PGTI titles under his belt, is also in the mix, holding third place at four-under 138 after carding a 70. The competition is heating up as players vie for top honors, each battling their own game and the unforgiving elements.
The PGTI extends its gratitude to its Umbrella Partner, DP World, along with sponsors including Amul, Axis Bank, Campa, Amrutanjan Enerlyte, Kalyani, Golf Plus Monthly, and Golf Design India. Their support is instrumental in fostering growth in the tour. Notably, the Andhra Open 2026 enjoys the backing of the East Point Golf Club (EPGC) and the Andhra Pradesh Golf Association (APGA).
On a challenging day for golf, characterized by gusty winds, Khalin Joshi remained unfazed. His performance saw him register four birdies, only succumbing to a single bogey on the final hole. Reflecting on his round, he commented, “I had a pretty solid day. From tee to green, I hit it well. It was windy, but overall, I’m happy with my ball-striking and am now looking forward to the weekend. The big challenge was dealing with the switching wind. I feel I negotiated the conditions well.”
An intriguing twist has occurred on the course: the par-5 seventh hole has been altered to a 477-yard par-4, adjusting the overall course par to 71. This adjustment adds complexity and strategy to the game, forcing players to rethink their approaches.
Dhruv Sheoran, who started strong with an eagle, found himself in a precarious position after a dramatic fall from grace. Despite building a three-shot lead through 12 holes, back-to-back bogeys on the 16th and 17th holes saw him drop to second place, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the sport.
The leaderboard also features a tightly contested fourth place, with six players tied at two-under 140. This group includes Viraj Madappa, Sri Lanka’s N. Thangaraja, and three players from Chandigarh—Brashwarpal Singh, Akshay Sharma, and Manjot Singh—along with Dubai-based Yash Majmudar.
The cut for this competitive tournament fell at six-over 148, allowing 52 of the 130 players to advance to the final rounds. This highlights the caliber of talent showcased at the Andhra Open and sets the stage for thrilling performances in the coming days.