Karandeep Kochhar records a career-best finish at the International Series with a tied fifth place

Chiba, Japan: Karandeep Kochhar delivered a strong final round at the International Series Japan, securing his best-ever finish in an International Series event.

Kochhar, a two-time runner-up on the Asian Tour, carded a 4-under 67 in the final round, highlighted by birdies on his last three holes to finish tied fifth. It marked his second top-five result in three Asian Tour starts this season. The International Series events also contribute to the Asian Tour standings, while maintaining a separate ranking system, with the overall winner earning a place in the LIV Golf League.

It was Kochhar’s third bogey free round in four days and it was only his third round of 73 ha proved costly. Kochhar finished the week with a score of 12-under par (67-65-73-65).

The IGPL star Kochhar began the day with an early birdie on the fourth hole and was 1-under par at the turn. Kochhar closed his final round with three consecutive birdies to rise to T-5 alongside Hongtaek Kim of South Korea.

Jeev Milkha Singh was the only other Indian to have made the cut this week. The veteran finished T-70 after carding a final round of even par 71. He was 6-over par for the week (72-69-78-71).

Travis Smyth continued his dream run this season into the first International Series event of the year. He finished with an eagle on the last hole to win by one stroke with a total of 15-under par (71-66-68-64) to hold onto the top position on the Asian Tour Order of Merit. He also leads the International Series standings.

Pavit Tangkamolprasert of Thailand finished second at 14-under par (67-71-70-62) and recorded a round of 9-under 62 on the final day including a birdie finish on the 18th.

Playing his third event on the Asian Tour this year, Kochhar has shown strong form with the Indian having already secured a fourth place finish at the Philippine Golf Championship in February this year.

The USD 74,300 winnings this week is Kochhar’s second highest pay day to date with his second place finish at the 2023 BNI Indonesian Masters with USD 165,000 being his biggest. Kochhar also won the IGPL Dubai event in late 2025.

Kochhar is now placed fifth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

Tags : Karandeep Kochhar, Indian golf, Japan, International Series, Jeev Milkha Singh