Karandeep Kochhar, Kartik Singh Stay in Contention as Thai Duo Lead AM Green IGPL Bharath Classic

Indian golfers Karandeep Kochhar and Kartik Singh remained firmly in the hunt after the second round of the US$500,000 AM Green IGPL Bharath Classic in Morocco, as Thailand’s Settee Prakongvech and Runchanapong Youprayong shared the lead heading into the weekend.

Playing in challenging windy conditions at the Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort in El Jadida, Kochhar carded a second-round 1-over 73 to move to 5-under for the tournament. The Chandigarh golfer is tied fifth alongside teenage compatriot Kartik Singh, who continued his impressive run with a second-round 69.

Both Indians trail the joint leaders by four shots with two rounds remaining in the event, which is co-sanctioned by the AM Green IGPL and the Asian Tour.

Kochhar entered the week looking to rediscover his form after a string of solid performances this season. A winner on the Asian Development Tour in Egypt last year and champion at IGPL Dubai in 2025, the 26-year-old has already recorded two top-five finishes this season and appears well positioned for another strong result.

After opening with an excellent 6-under 66 on the first day, Kochhar battled difficult conditions during the second round. Starting from the tenth tee, he stayed patient throughout the day and was 1-under through 12 holes before a pair of late birdies on the fourth and ninth helped limit the damage from a demanding round.

Despite a disappointing finish, Kochhar remained positive about his performance.

“I got a little unlucky on the last. Just had a small putt of four-odd feet. I thought I hit a good putt, but it just went the other way,” Kochhar said after his round. “Definitely, don’t want to finish with a three-putt on the last, but I still think I played really well. Maybe, missed two small putts coming in.”

The Indian also highlighted improvements in his putting, an area he had focused on heavily in recent days.

“Would have loved to have those two short putts back, but other than that, I’m not too concerned. The putting actually has been very good because I’ve worked on it a lot over the weekend.”

One of the highlights of his round was a superb 30-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole, demonstrating the confidence he is carrying into the weekend.

Alongside Kochhar in tied fifth is 16-year-old Kartik Singh, who continues to impress against a strong international field. Kartik followed his opening-round 70 with a composed 69 to reach 5-under overall and position himself among the tournament contenders.

The teenager's performance once again underlined why he is regarded as one of Indian golf's brightest young prospects. Competing against experienced Asian Tour professionals, Kartik has shown remarkable maturity and consistency over the opening two rounds.

At the top of the leaderboard, Thailand's Settee Prakongvech produced one of the rounds of the day. Having entered the week after five consecutive missed cuts, the 31-year-old delivered a flawless bogey-free 7-under 65 to move into a share of the lead at 9-under. Settee overcame the strong winds with impressive control, collecting four birdies on the front nine before adding three more after the turn.

He was joined at the summit by overnight leader Runchanapong Youprayong, who battled through a difficult stretch that included a double bogey and a bogey but still managed to card a 70 to maintain his position at the top. The Thai duo holds a three-shot advantage over Austria’s Niklas Regner and another Thai golfer, Ekpharit Wu, who are tied third at 6-under.

Regner followed his opening 66 with a 72, while Wu impressed with a second-round 67. Both remain within striking distance heading into Moving Day.

A group of six players sits at 5-under alongside Kochhar and Kartik. The group includes Philippines’ Lloyd Jefferson Go, American MJ Maguire, Sweden’s Charlie Lindh, South Africa’s Ian Snyman and New Zealand’s Nick Voke. Further down the leaderboard, Jai Bahl and Yashas Chandra were the next-best Indians at 1-under overall. Amateur Bahl posted rounds of 71 and 72, while Yashas rebounded strongly from an opening 75 with a brilliant 68.

Shaurya Bhattacharya and Raghav Chugh were tied 40th at even par after matching second-round scores of 74.

Several experienced Indian professionals managed to make the cut but will need exceptional weekends to challenge for the title. Gaganjeet Bhullar, Pukhraj Singh Gill and Rashid Khan were tied 49th, while Udayan Mane, Sachin Baisoya and Aman Raj finished just inside the cut line in tied 61st.

https://www.indiasportshub.com/articles/karandeep-kochhar-one-shot-off-lead-at-am-green-igpl-bharath-classic-aryan-roopa-anand-also-in-top-10

However, it was disappointment for several notable Indians. SSP Chawrasia, Milind Soni and M Dharma missed the cut by a single stroke, while Aryan Roopa Anand and Varun Parikh fell short by two shots.

With two rounds remaining, India's hopes now rest primarily on Kochhar and Kartik. Kochhar possesses the experience of contending at this level, while Kartik continues to prove that he belongs among Asia's emerging golfing talents.

As the tournament enters its decisive phase, both Indians remain within touching distance of the leaders and will be looking to make a strong charge over the weekend in Morocco.