India’s Saptak Talwar, playing in the last group of the day, birdied his final hole in fading light, at Dirab Golf & Country Club, to shoot a course record eight-under-par 64 for the first-round lead in the Saudi Open presented by PIF today.

The 26-year-old from Delhi has played in only a handful of Asian Tour events since turning professional in 2021 but embraced the opportunity today making four birdies on each nine, in a bogey-free round.

American John Catlin, the defending champion and reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, and Jack Thompson from Australia are tied for second following 65s – in the season-ending event on the Asian Tour.

Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong and Jazz Janewattananond, Bjorn Hellgren from Sweden, Charles Porter from the United States and Moroccan amateur Adam Bresnu are next best placed after 66s.

Chinese-Taipei’s Chang Wei-lun, playing in the last group with Talwar, was seven under playing his final hole – which was the ninth as they started on 10. However, he made a bogey after failing to get up and down from the edge of the green.

John Catlin.

Japan’s Kazuki Higa shot a 69, and is in a tie for 24^th, to start well in his bid to wrap up the Asian Tour Order of Merit title. Making the cut tomorrow will put him within touching distance and require Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent, in second place, to record a top four finish to have any chance of catching him. Vincent, who won The International Series Rankings three weeks ago, returned a 70.

Talwar won for the first time as a professional this year, at the Adani Invitational Golf Championship on the Professional Golf Tour of India. It was played on his home course, Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort, and he showed some of that winning form today.

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

“Yeah, so when I came in this morning and it was pretty quiet, I was just hoping it stays like it, because the guys in the morning were kind of making some birdies. Yeah, happy to get off to a good start. Take advantage of the calmer conditions. I think it’ll get windy at some point.”

He has been playing on the European Challenge Tour this year, as well as his home circuit.

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

The Indian, who tied for sixth in the Mandiri Indonesia Open last year for his best result on the Asian Tour, hit a gap wedge to 12 feet on the ninth and drained the birdie putt.

Jack Thompson.

Catlin has made the perfect start to end a disappointing season, admitting after that a few setbacks have been on his mind this year that affected his form.

This time last year Catlin was being crowned the Asian Tour Order of Merit champion for the first time after an inspired season. He won twice, came second twice – after two play-off loses – plus became the first player on the Tour to shoot a 59. He was also voted the Player’s Player of the Year, for the second time in his career.

However, he says events at the end of 2024 had a profound impact on him, and it’s taken time to heal. His mother passing away in October was far and away the most significant of those.

He said: “You know, I wouldn’t be a pro golfer if it wasn’t for all the support she gave me when I was a really little kid and junior golfer, and she took me to all the tournaments.

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

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

In addition, narrowly failing to earn a place on the LIV Golf League after just missing out on winning The International Series Rankings, also hit him hard – he said.

Kazuki Higa.

“You know, there was a lot of other things – including not earning my spot on LIV. I wish I would have handled that thing a little bit better. You know, those things happen.

“I think mentally, internally I mean, I wish I would have just handled it a little bit better.”

Catlin is currently in 46^th place on the Merit list – well below par for a six-time winner on the Tour.

Today’s round, bogey-free, with seven birdies, shows he is on the road to recovery.

“I feel much stronger now. I feel like I’ve processed through a lot of it. I feel as good as I ever have. I’ve been really enjoying this week,” he said.

He heads home to Florida after this week, where he will prepare for the LIV Golf Promotions event in January – where two paces are up for grabs on the LIV Golf League.

Thompson is in 62^nd position on the Merit list and in need of a good week to secure his card for next year by finishing in the top 65.

He is comfortably on course for that after making an eagle and five birdies and not dropped a shot.

His playing status for next year is definitely on his mind, but says sessions with sports psychologist Jonah Oliver, who works with his compatriot Cam Smith, have been a huge help in dealing with such situations.

“I’m human, so definitely think about it. The thoughts are there. I do a lot of work with my psychologist Jonah. I mean, you can’t really avoid that sort of stuff,” said Thompson.

“I think that’s huge speaking to him. It’s great to be able to lean on him a bit more sometimes. I think we’re all a little bit stubborn in the sense that maybe we don’t need help. I’ve got a good support team there that helps me with that.”

Pictured by Ian Walton/Asian Tour.