Asian Tour: Joshi makes early running as wind batters golfers at Singapore International
- Indian professional claims early two-shot lead as Asian Tour returns at Tanah Merah Country Club
- Players battle 35km/h winds and a tough course during first round on Thursday
India’s Khalin Joshi overcame strong winds and a demanding golf course to claim the first-round lead in The Singapore International at Tanah Merah Country Club on Thursday.
Joshi rattled off seven birdies in his 5-under par 67, with England’s William Harrold two shots further back in the US$1 million event, which is the penultimate tournament of the 2020-21 season on the Asian Tour.
India’s Ajeetesh Sandhu and American Paul Peterson both carded 2-under par 70s, while Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond and Pavit Tangkamoprasert, Taiwan’s Chan Shih-chang, and South African Mathiam Keyser all finished 1-under.
Australian Wade Ormsby, the current leader of the Asian Tour Order of Merit, was in a large group of players who finished level-par on a day when winds reached 35km/h.
“It was obviously a very challenging golf course to start off with; it’s long, it’s windy and the flags were all tough, so it wasn’t very easy, greens are firm,” Joshi said.
“So, I’m just very pleased with the way I’m playing and with the way my round went today. Hopefully we can continue with the way I’m playing and see what happens at the end of the week.
“The key is to stay patient and whenever you have the chance to capitalise, whenever you have chances to make birdies to capitalise, and you know, just enjoy the set because it’s going to be a long week for sure.”
