Wooyoung Cho came to India this week to try and finish the season on a high, after a poor year. He is proceeding to do just that after taking the halfway lead in the US$500,000 Bharath Classic 2025 Gujarat.

The Korean carded a fine six-under-par 66 today at Kensville Golf Resort to lead on 12-under by a shot from compatriot Heemin Chang.

Chang, the first-round leader after a 64, shot a 69 – in the penultimate event of the season on the Asian Tour, where tensions are high. Many of those in contention are trying ensure they keep their Asian Tour cards by staying in top 65 on the Order of Merit. Only one event remains after this week, the Saudi Open presented by PIF.

Spain’s Carlos Pigem (65) and Panuphol Pittayarat (66) are a stroke further back. Panuphol sensationally eagled his last hole to surge closer to the top.

Cho, in just his second year as a professional and one of his country’s most highly rated players, is in 56^th place on the Merit list. He is secure but a win this week would truly cement his place on Tour next year.

Heemin Chang.

“I am just trying to be confident with my game, my swing, and my putting,” said the Korean, who has won twice on the Korean PGA Tour.

“It was a very good day for me, so I will try to keep going with 66s. I think my wedge shots, were very, very good. I could make birdies because my wedge game was so good.”

He did make a lot of birdies, seven in total, and dropped just one shot.

Chang needs to win this week if he is to keep his card as he is in a distant 127^th place on the Merit list, having played just five events this campaign.

He was bogey free today, making three birdies to stay very much in the hunt.

Said the Korean: “When I was warming up on the range my driver wasn’t very good, so I thought it wouldn’t be easy today. But I think I finished well today because my putting was working was good.

“I didn’t know things would go well this week, but since it’s going so well, I want to get the highest rank possible to gain as much experience as possible.”

Carlos Pigem.

Pigem, a winner on the Asian Tour back in 2016 at Yeangder TPC, carded the joint lowest round the day. He is another struggling in 162^nd position on the Merit list and also in need of a win this weekend.

“I think in Taiwan two weeks ago, I played better than the score, especially the second day and the fourth round, and I think that helped give me a little bit more confidence,” said the Spaniard.

“I know this course is a little bit tricky. You have to hit it really straight. But I missed where I could miss, and I hit really good shots when I had to. And I’m really happy for the weekend. I’m not gonna change. I think we are gonna follow the same path. Maybe you can try to hit par fives in two on the weekend, and try to be a little bit more aggressive if you need it.”

Mexican Santiago De la Fuente (67) and Thailand’s Poosit Supupramai (69) share fifth, three behind Cho.

De la Fuenta is 62^nd on the Merit list while Poosit is in 81^st place.

Said Poosit: “I’m not thinking about securing the card, I just try my best. If I play like today on the weekend, hopefully I can secure my card for next year.”

Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond, a seven-time winner on the Asian Tour and gradually returning to form came in with a 70 and is tied for seventh four off top spot.

The morning session saw two players make a hole in one.

Englishman Harold William aced the par-three 11^th enroute to a 65. He is five under. Soon after Harendra Gupta holed his tee shot on the par-three fifth. The Indian golfer is also five under. William used a pitching wedge while Gupta a six iron.

This week’s event is being joint-sanctioned with the Indian Golf Premier League. The circuit was launched recently with the aim of increasing the profile of the game in India. It aims to add a new dimension to the game, with this weekend’s final two rounds commencing with a Shotgun start.