Khalin Joshi produced a bogey-free three-under 31 to win the inaugural Rs 1 crore SECL presents Nava Raipur Open 2026 by one stroke at the Fairway Golf & Lake Resort in Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
The 34-year-old Bengaluru golfer (29-30-33-31), who began the final round with a one-shot advantage, made three consecutive birdies from the third through the fifth holes of his nine-hole round to finish at 13-under 123.
The victory was Joshi’s third of the season following his triumphs at the Andhra Open in April and the J&K Open in August, and his ninth overall on the DP World PGTI.
Joshi, who claimed his maiden Asian Tour title at the Panasonic Open India in 2018, collected Rs 15 lakh. He climbed from 12th to seventh in the Race to DP World India Championship, taking his season earnings to Rs 52,34,225.
Khalin Joshi retains one-shot lead after third round at Nava Raipur Open 2026
Persistent rain left the course unsuitable for full 18-hole rounds, prompting the Tournament Committee to reduce each of the four rounds to nine holes over the back nine. The final round was also suspended for several hours, leaving Joshi uncertain whether play would resume.
“After the delay, the course did not appear playable and we heard that the final round might be abandoned,” Joshi said. “I still had to regain my focus and prepare mentally in case play resumed. I stayed calm and composed, and I’m delighted with how I handled the situation.”
Mhow’s Om Prakash Chouhan (34-29-32-29), the 2023 DP World PGTI Order of Merit champion, produced the joint-lowest score of the day. His five-under 29 featured an eagle on the par-five fourth and three birdies as he finished joint runner-up at 12-under 124.
Chouhan was joined in second place by Panchkula’s Raunil Kukar (31-30-33-30), who briefly held the lead before play was halted, and Ahmedabad’s Anshul Patel (32-31-31-30).
The three joint runners-up earned Rs 6,99,867 each. Chouhan strengthened his position at eighth in the Race to DP World India Championship with season earnings of Rs 51,88,201.
Kukar climbed from 102nd to 54th with earnings of Rs 8,93,660, while Patel rose from 84th to 47th with Rs 10,24,442. By moving inside the top 60, both secured their playing status and avoided a return to Qualifying School next month.
Kolkata’s Divyanshu Bajaj (33-32-30-30), Delhi’s Pritish Singh Karayat (34-31-29-31) and Chandigarh’s Angad Cheema (34-29-30-32) shared fifth place at 11-under 125.
I have become more confident: Khalin
Reflecting on his three victories this season, Joshi credited greater confidence and a present-focused approach. “My mindset has not changed dramatically over my 14 seasons as a professional, but I have become more confident,” he said. “My mind used to race, particularly in the final group. I now understand the importance of staying in the present, remaining calm and enjoying the moment.”
Joshi will next compete at the Karnataka Golf Association, his home course since childhood. “I haven’t been home for seven weeks, so I’m looking forward to returning to Bengaluru,” he said. “I’ve been associated with KGA since I was four and know the course extremely
well. My girlfriend will also be caddying for me, so it should be a special week.”
The victory also strengthened Joshi’s prospects ahead of the DP World India Championship at Delhi Golf Club. “I love that course because I recorded my first international victory there in 2018,” Joshi said. “It is a major tournament for all the Indian players. Hopefully, I can put myself in contention.”
