Jyoti Randhawa returns, Chiragh Kumar eyes double

Jyoti Randhawa will return to action after a gap of almost five months, when he tees up at the Panasonic Open Golf Championship on Thursday.

Randhawa, Asian Tour Order of Merit winner in 2002, whose last Tour start was in Thailand in December, broke a bone in his right shin when his all-terrain vehicle overturned and landed on his leg while on holiday in India this February.

Fellow Indian, Chiragh Kumar, is seeking a Panasonic double, having won the title at home for his maiden Tour win late last year.

Shiv Kapur will tee up for the first time since his marriage earlier this month, and the field also includes Jeev Milkha Singh, Rahil Gangjee, Gaganjeet Bhullar and Himmat Rai.

“This is probably one of the flattest golf courses in Japan. It is in great shape and the rough is not up so it might be a low scoring week this week,” said Randhawa.

At Cavite in the Philippines, Khalin Joshi shot a one-over 73 and was lying tied 18th at the end of the first round of the ICTSI Sherwood Hills Classic on Wednesday. Joshi, whose best on Asian Tour has been second place at the Bangladesh Open last year, is five shots behind the leader, Danny Masrin of Indonesia.