Karandeep Kochhar Climbs Leaderboard at International Series Japan

In a thrilling start to the International Series Japan, Karandeep Kochhar made a strong impression with a 4-under 67, placing him in the top ten. He trails leader Hongtaek Kim, who shot a remarkable seven-under 64. Other notable players include Jeev Milkha Singh and Gaganjeet Bhullar, who face challenges after their rounds. The competition heats up as players vie for points in The International Series Rankings, crucial for qualifying for the LIV Golf League. With favorable conditions aiding some players, the tournament promises an exciting continuation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 2, 2026, 20:49 IST

Kochhar's Strong Start

Karandeep Kochhar made a significant move into the top ten of the leaderboard with an impressive 4-under 67 during the opening round of the US$ 2 million International Series Japan. He is currently three strokes behind the leader, Hongtaek Kim from Korea, who set the pace with a remarkable seven-under 64. Kochhar's round began quietly, as he teed off from the 10th hole and recorded nine consecutive pars before turning things around with four birdies on the 1st, 4th, 6th, and 8th holes.

Other Players' Performance

Jeev Milkha Singh and Gaganjeet Bhullar faced challenges, finishing tied at 85th and 103rd with scores of 1-over 72 and 2-over 73, respectively. The leaderboard is currently led by Kim, followed closely by Younghan Song and Poom Saksansin, both of whom shot 65s at the Caledonian Golf Club, marking the season's opening event in The International Series.

The Race for LIV Golf Spots

The competition is fierce as players aim to accumulate points early in The International Series Rankings, which will determine eligibility for the LIV Golf League at the season's end.

Kim's Dominant Performance

Kim, who began his round on the 10th hole, capitalized on favorable afternoon conditions, achieving an eagle, six birdies, and one bogey. He noted, "The conditions were a bit better in the afternoon, which helped. Overall, I played pretty solid and took advantage of all the opportunities out there." His eagle came on the par-five sixth hole, and he finished strong with birdies on the eighth and ninth holes.

The 32-year-old emphasized the importance of his driving, stating, "I was able to hit a lot of fairways, which set up good chances to hit greens in regulation. That really helped me keep things consistent." He acknowledged that the weather might pose challenges in the morning, stressing the need for patience and accuracy off the tee.

Song's Bogey-Free Round

Younghan Song, who is already a member of the LIV Golf League, expressed his enjoyment of the new competitive environment. He finished second in this event last year and is eager to secure his second Asian Tour title. "I wasn't playing particularly well coming in, but we had good weather today, which helped. I also have good memories on this course, so I just tried to focus on each shot, and that allowed me to play well," he shared. Song achieved a bogey-free round with three birdies on each half.

Poom's Competitive Edge

Poom Saksansin, a four-time Asian Tour champion, remains a formidable presence on the leaderboard. He commented, "I was a bit lucky to play in the afternoon with better conditions. My driving was good, and my putting was solid as well. There was a little bit of rain early on, but overall, the conditions were manageable. I'll spend a bit more time on the putting later to make sure everything stays sharp. Just keep working and stay consistent."

The Chasing Contenders

American John Catlin, the 2024 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, is well-positioned after a score of 66, alongside China's Lin Yuxin, Japan's Tatsunori Shogenji, Wang Wei-hsuan from Chinese Taipei, and Korea's Yongjun Bae. Meanwhile, Wooyoung Cho from Korea, the current leader of the Asian Tour Order of Merit, struggled with a disappointing score of 76.