Khalin Joshi emerges victorious in Andhra Open 2026

Visakhapatnam: KhalinJoshi carded a two-under 69 to claim his seventh professional title at the ‘Rs 1 crore Andhra Open Golf Championship 2026’ played at East Point Golf Club in Visakhapatnam.

The 33-year-old Bengaluru-based Khalin emerged victorious by a comfortable four-stroke margin at nine-under 275. Joshi earned Rs 15 lakh and climbed from 55th to 12th on the 2026 DP World PGTI Order of Merit with season earnings of Rs 18,13,875.

Joshi began the final round with a three-shot cushion at seven-under and closed with a two-under 69, mixing five birdies with three bogeys, to secure the title, his first in over 44 months, dating back to Coimbatore in August 2022.

Despite a couple of bogeys on the back nine, Joshi regained momentum with a birdie on the 15th that steadied his round. Having led since round two, he handled the pressure well down the stretch to close out the win.

Akshay Sharma from Chandigarh, a two-time winner on the tour, posted a course-record final round of six-under 65 to surge from 13th overnight and finish runner-up at five-under 279, four shots behind the winner. Runner-up Akshay Sharma’s course record final round of 65 was highlighted by seven birdies and a bogey.

Saptak Talwar, the current DP World PGTI rankings leader and winner of the Indorama Ventures Open Golf Championship last month, finished tied third at four-under 280 alongside Dubai-based Yash Majmudar. Talwar earned Rs 5,49,800 to extend his lead atop the rankings as his season earnings moved to Rs 75,80,000. Majmudar, who employs an unconventional one-handed chipping technique, was playing his first event of the season after earning his tour card through Qualifying School in January.

Ajeetesh Sandhu from Chandigarh, who recently led Rajasthan Regals to victory at the inaugural edition of the DP World PGTI’s ‘72 The League’, finished fifth at three-under 281.

Angad Cheema, the last winner at EPGC in 2024, finished tied sixth at two-under 282 alongside Honey Baisoya, Rashid Khan and Manjot Singh.

The team now proceeds to Hyderabad for the inaugural Rs 1 crore Boulders Classic at Boulder Hills Golf and Country Club scheduled from April 14 to 17.

The Andhra Open 2026 was supported by host venue East Point Golf Club (EPGC) and event partner Andhra Pradesh Golf Association (APGA).