Kolkata, 27-04-2023

Khalin Joshi and SSP Chawrasia qualify for Asian Games

Khalin Joshi and SSP Chawrasia have made it to the Indian men’s team for the Hangzhou Asian Games which will be held in September – October later this year.

Bengaluru’s Khalin Joshi (67-68-68) completed a wire-to-wire win with a final round of four-under 68 at the Asian Games Selection Trials held at the RCGC in Kolkata. Khalin maintained his overnight two-shot lead after he topped the leaderboard with a total score of 13-under 203 at the 54-hole event.

Kolkata’s SSP Chawrasia (69-68-68), who represented India at the 2016 Rio Olympics, also shot 68 in the third and last round at his home course to total 11-under 205 thus taking second place in the 19-man field and as a result booking his berth for the Hangzhou Games.

International winner Joshi and four-time DP World Tour winner Chawrasia will join Anirban Lahiri and Shubhankar Sharma in the men’s team.

Lahiri, who in 2006 won a team silver at the Doha Asian Games, has since represented India at the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021) and will now represent India in his second Asian Games.

Viraj Madappa (68) and Aman Raj (72) ended in a tie for third place at seven-under 209. Rashid Khan (72) finished a further shot back in fifth place.

Khalin Joshi said, “I came into the event with low expectations as I had not been playing well for the last two months. So I’m quite pleased with my performance this week especially the bogey-free rounds on day two and three.

“I’m excited about representing India at the Asian Games as it takes me back to my junior and amateur days when I represented the country in multiple international events. I’m also really looking forward to teaming up with my good friend Shubhankar Sharma at the Asian Games.”

In the women’s event, the Bengaluru duo of Pranavi Urs and amateur Avani Prashanth tied for the first place at 10-under 206 to seal their spots for the Asian Games in China. Pranavi and Avani will join Aditi Ashok in the Indian women’s team.

Round 3 Leaderboard (Men):

203: Khalin Joshi (67-68-68)

205: SSP Chawrasia (69-68-68)

209: Viraj Madappa (75-66-68); Aman Raj (69-68-72)

210: Rashid Khan (69-69-72)