Saptak Talwar smashes course record to take lead at Saudi Open on day one

Saptak Talwar in action during the first round of the 2025 Saudi Open presented by PIF at the Dirab Golf & Country Club near Riyadh on Wednesday. The Delhi golfer shot a course record 64 to hold onto the early lead at the $1 million event. Image courtesy of Asian Tour.

By Rahul Banerji

Delhi’s Saptak Talwar played his final hole in fading light at the Dirab Golf & Country Club for a course-record 8-under-par 64 and the first-round lead in the Saudi Open presented by PIF on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old has only played in a few Asian Tour events since turning pro in 2021 but made the most of his performance near Riyadh with four birdies each on the front and back nines in a bogey-free round.

Defending champion John Catlin of the US, the reigning winner of the Asian Tour Order of Merit, and Australian Jack Thompson shared second place at 65s at the tour’s end of season.

Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong and Jazz Janewattananond, Sweden’s Bjorn Hellgren, USA’s Charles Porter and Moroccan amateur Adam Bresnu were hot on their heels with 66s.

Chinese Taipei’s Chang Wei-lun, who played with Talwar in the final group, was seven under until his final hole – the ninth when they started on 10.

However, he made bogey after failing to get up and down from the edge of the green.

The Japanese Kazuki Higa shot a 69 and tied for 24th^eoff to a good start in his bid to complete the Asian Tour Order of Merit title.

If he makes Thursday’s finish he will be within reach and Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent, who is in second place, will need to record a top four finish to have any chance of catching up.

Vincent, who won the International Series Rankings three weeks ago, scored a 70.

Outbreak result

Talwar won for the first time as a professional this year, at the Adani Invitational on the Professional Golf Tour of India at his home course Jaypee Greens, and he showed some of that form on Wednesday.

“I was honestly expecting some wind today,” said Talwar, who played college golf at Sacred Heart University in NCAA Division 1.

“When I came in this morning it was quite quiet and I was just hoping it would stay that way because the boys were doing some birding this morning.

“I’m glad I got a good start and can take advantage of the calmer conditions. I think it will get windy at some point.

“I’ve played a lot of golf this year. Some good, some bad, but I struggled to put four rounds together. So yeah, one less, hopefully I can put three more together.”

The Indian, who finished tied for sixth at last year’s Mandiri Indonesia Open for his best finish on the Asian Tour, hit a gap wedge to 10 feet on the ninth and drained the birdie putt.

Khalin Joshi also started well, shooting a 4-under 68 for a share of 16th place alongside seven others, while Ajeetesh Sandh, who skipped the defense of his Vishwa Samudra Open title in Delhi this week, was T39 at 2-under 70.

Low year

Catlin will be hoping to end a disappointing season on a high and admits he has had a few setbacks this year that have affected his form.

Last year, Catlin was crowned Asian Tour Order of Merit champion for the first time after an inspired season.

He won twice, finished second twice – after two losses in the play-offs – and became the first player on Tour to score a 59.

He was also voted Player of the Year for the second time in his career.

However, he said the events of late 2024 had a profound impact on him and it had taken time to heal. His mother’s death in October was by far the most important of these.

He said, ‘You know, I wouldn’t be a professional golfer without all the support she gave me when I was a very little kid and a junior golfer, and she took me to all the tournaments.

“She was a big part of the process, a big supporter of what I do, and just a loving person. And so, you know, last year it actually happened on Jakarta Wednesday, but I heard it from my dad after the last round.”

Catlin explained that she had been stable for some time and that there was a huge emotional shock when she passed away, the week of the Indonesian Masters.

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