Kochhar Climbs to Tied-Second; Jeev Makes Cut at International Series Japan

In an exciting turn of events at the International Series Japan, Karandeep Kochhar has surged to a Tied-2 position after a remarkable 6-under 65 in the second round. Meanwhile, golfing legend Jeev Milkha Singh made his first cut on the Asian Tour since 2024. As the tournament progresses, Kochhar's strong performance and Kim's leadership set the stage for an intriguing weekend. Discover more about the players' strategies and challenges as they navigate this prestigious event.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 3, 2026, 22:26 IST

Kochhar Climbs to T-2; Jeev Makes Cut

Karandeep Kochhar from India delivered an impressive performance with a flawless 6-under 65 in the second round on Friday, elevating him to a Tied-2 position at the halfway mark of the International Series Japan, held at the Caledonian Golf Club.

This marks Kochhar's second consecutive round without a bogey, featuring six birdies, allowing him to ascend seven spots from his previous Tied-9th position in the US$ 2 million tournament, just one stroke behind the leader, Hongtaek Kim from Korea, as per a press release.

In another highlight, Indian golfing icon Jeev Milkha Singh, a two-time winner of the Asian Tour Order of Merit, showcased his skills by making his first cut on the Asian Tour since 2024. The 54-year-old, primarily competing on the Senior Tours now, carded a 69 to finish one under par, right at the cutline.

Kim Leads the Pack into the Weekend

Kim added a 67 to his first-round score of 64, totaling 11-under, while Kochhar (67-65) and Japan's Shugo Imahira (67-65) shared the second position in this season-opening event of The International Series, which is also the third stop on the Asian Tour.

Kochhar's performance reflects a strong start to his season, placing him sixth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit. "To stay bogey-free, everything has to be on point," he remarked. "I believe my iron play has been crucial, and the putter has been cooperating well so far."

Leader Kim Overcomes Challenges

Kim, who won the GS Caltex Maekyung Open on the Asian Tour two years ago, demonstrated his ability to recover from a challenging start. "I struggled with my shots early on but managed to identify the issues and adjust my game. After that, I settled in and played much better," he explained.

Despite a bogey on the third hole, which temporarily set him back, he quickly regained his form, making five birdies to take the lead heading into the weekend, with rain forecasted. "With the rain, distance control will be crucial, so keeping the ball in the fairway is essential. I'll focus on being patient and saving par when necessary," he added.

Imahira and Lee Experience Mixed Results

Imahira, one of Japan's most accomplished players, showcased his talent by eagling two par fives, the sixth and the 18th. "This course offers many birdie opportunities, and I aimed to capitalize on them," said Imahira, a ten-time champion on the Japan Golf Tour.

"I feel confident in my position. Competing in Japan gives me an edge, and I aim to be in contention after the third round. Winning international events is one of my goals, and I will strive to achieve that," he stated.

In a surprising turn, Richard T. Lee's impressive streak of 25 consecutive cuts made on the Asian Tour since 2023 came to an end. He finished with a 73, ending up even par. Lee had recently gained attention after losing to American Bryson DeChambeau in a playoff at LIV Golf Singapore.