Aichi-Nagoya, September 30, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India’s Saptak Talwar made an impressive start to his Asian Games 2026 campaign, carding a four-under 66 to finish tied third after the opening round of the men’s individual golf event at Kasugai Country Club East Course here on Wednesday.
Talwar, who is currently leading the PGTI Order of Merit, recorded five birdies and one bogey on the Par-70 course to stay within one shot of the lead.
Chinese Taipei’s Wei-hsuan Wang and Japan’s Kazuki Higa shared the lead at five-under 65 after Round 1.
The other two Indian golfers, Veer Ahlawat and Yuvraj Sandhu, were tied 23rd at one-over 71.
Ahlawat, a former PGTI Order of Merit champion, carded an eagle and three birdies but also dropped shots with four bogeys and a double-bogey. Sandhu, the 2025 PGTI Order of Merit winner, made four birdies and five bogeys in his opening round.
In the men’s team event, India were tied fifth at three-under 137. The team score is determined by the combined scores of the two best-performing players from each country in each round.
Japan led the team standings at nine-under 131 after the opening round.
The Indian men’s trio entered the competition in strong form. Talwar and Ahlawat had finished tied third at the Bengaluru Open 2026 immediately before the Asian Games, while Sandhu recently secured a tied-13th finish at the DP World Tour’s FedEx Open de France.
The men’s golf competition features 66 players and will be played over 72 holes from September 30 to October 3. Team medals will be decided on the aggregate scores of the best two players from each country in each round.
In the women’s individual event, India’s Pranavi Urs also made a strong start, finishing second at four-under 66, three shots behind the leader.
Diksha Dagar and Aditi Ashok were tied 18th at one-over 71.
India were tied sixth in the women’s team event at three-under 137, five shots behind the leaders.
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