Manila, November 12, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Four Indians finished tied 38th after the opening round of the Philippine Open presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, carding one-over-par 71 at the Masters Course, Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club.
The group comprised Pukhraj Singh Gill, Aman Raj, Shaurya Bhattacharya and Anirban Lahiri. Gill, the 2025 IGPL Order of Merit winner, has already secured his Asian Tour card for 2027 after finishing in the top 10 of the Asian Development Tour’s Order of Merit.
Gill carded five birdies, two bogeys and two double bogeys. Lahiri had two birdies and three bogeys, Aman Raj recorded three birdies and four bogeys, while Shaurya Bhattacharya finished with one birdie and two bogeys.
Among the other Indians, Rashid Khan and Ajeetesh Sandhu shot three-over 73s to lie tied 69th, while SSP Chawrasia carded a six-over 76 and was tied 107th.
New Zealand’s Nick Voke took the first-round lead with a five-under 65. Thailand’s Nopparat Panichphol was second at 66, while Tawit Polthai and Sarut Vongchaisit of Thailand, Americans Kevin Na and Andy Ogletree, and Korea’s Jeongwoo Ham shared third place with rounds of 67.
The tournament is the Asian Tour’s season-ending event and will determine the Order of Merit winner. Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert, who leads the standings, opened with a four-under 68 to sit tied eighth.
His closest challengers, Australia’s Travis Smyth and Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond, carded 73 and 74 respectively. Smyth needs a top-two finish to have a chance of overtaking Pavit, while Jazz must win, provided Pavit finishes further down the leaderboard.
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