Bengaluru, September 25: Khalin Joshi completed a wire-to-wire win at the Rs 1 crore Bengaluru Open 2026 on Friday, closing with a two-under 70 at the Karnataka Golf Association (KGA) course to finish five shots clear.
The 34-year-old from Bengaluru started the final round three ahead on his home course. He made five birdies and three bogeys to finish on 20-under 268 (61-68-69-70).
It was his 10th title on the DP World PGTI and his fourth this season. It also came a week after he won the SECL presents Nava Raipur Open, making it back-to-back wins.
Joshi up to second on Order of Merit
Joshi, an Asian Tour winner in 2018, took home Rs 15 lakh. He moved from seventh to second on the 2026 PGTI Order of Merit, with season earnings of Rs 67,34,225.
He led for all eight rounds across his wins in Nava Raipur and Bengaluru.
Gandas second, Ahlawat and Talwar share third
Gurugram’s Manu Gandas (69-68-64-72), the 2023 PGTI Rankings champion, shot a level-par 72 with one birdie and one bogey. He finished second on 15-under 273, earning Rs 10 lakh, and climbed from 20th to 12th in the standings with Rs 40,56,383.
Veer Ahlawat of Gurugram (68-69-69-70), the 2024 Rankings champion, had a bogey-free 70 with two birdies. He shared third on 12-under 276 with Greater Noida’s Saptak Talwar (67-70-68-71).
Talwar’s one-under 71 had six birdies, two bogeys and a triple bogey. The Race to India Championship leader earned Rs 5,49,800 and now has Rs 96,82,284 for the season. Ahlawat stayed third in the standings with Rs 62,87,000.
‘Winning here is something I’ve always dreamed about’
Joshi said the last few months had been different for him. “I’ve always considered myself a good player, but I had never closed tournaments as comfortably as I have over the past few months,” he said.
The start of his final round was not smooth. “The birdie on the first calmed my nerves, but the bogey on the second made it feel as though I was starting again. I knew I had a comfortable advantage, but I had to remain aggressive.”
On winning at home, he said: “I have no words because winning here is something I’ve always dreamed about.”
What’s next
Joshi’s next event is the India Championship at Delhi Golf Club from October 15 to 18. “I have wonderful memories of Delhi Golf Club. I’m playing well and look forward to returning there,” he said.
Ahlawat and Talwar will represent India at the Asian Games in Japan from September 30 to October 3.
Joshi received his trophy and cheque from Siddharth Agarwal, Executive Director and State Head, IndianOil Corporation Ltd; Col C P Nanjappa, President, KGA; and Vikas Singh, Chief Business Officer, DP World PGTI.
Read more: Khalin Joshi was three clear of Manu Gandas before the final round.
