“My mindset has not changed dramatically over my 14 seasons as a professional, but I have become more confident,” he said. “My mind used to race, particularly in the final group. I now understand the importance of staying
in the present, remaining calm and enjoying the moment.”
Joshi will next compete at the Karnataka Golf Association, his home course since childhood.
“I haven’t been home for seven weeks, so I’m looking forward to returning to Bengaluru,” he said. “I’ve been associated with KGA since I was four and know the course extremely well. My girlfriend will also be caddying for me, so it should be a special week.”
The victory also strengthened Joshi’s prospects ahead of the DP World India Championship at Delhi Golf Club.
“I love that course because I recorded my first international victory there in 2018,” Joshi said. “It is a major tournament for all the Indian players. Hopefully, I can put myself in contention.”
The Nava Raipur Open was supported by Title Partner Nava Raipur, Presenting Partner SECL and Associate Partners Chhattisgarh Tourism and Jindal Steel. The tournament is also supported by DP World PGTI’s Umbrella Partner DP World as well as Tour Partners Axis Bank, Amul, HCL Group, Amrutanjan Enerlyte, Air India Maharaja Club, Kalyani, Golf Plus Monthly and Golf Design India.
The Race to DP World India Championship crowns the DP World PGTI’s number one player and will also determine the top-24 players from the DP World PGTI Order of Merit who will earn their spots at the season-ending DP World India Championship.
About DP World Professional Golf Tour of India (DP World PGTI):
The DP World Professional Golf Tour of India serves as the official governing and sanctioning body for men’s professional golf in India and is a recognized member of the ‘International Golf Federation’ and the ‘International Federation of PGA Tours’. DP World PGTI also enjoys a strategic alliance with the DP World Tour (European Tour). DP World PGTI events offer ‘Official World Golf Ranking’ (OWGR) points. Global logistics leader DP World is the Title Partner and Official Umbrella Partner of the DP World PGTI. The DP World PGTI is led by its President, Padma Bhushan Shri. Kapil Dev, an iconic sporting legend who continues to inspire athletes and audiences nationwide.
For more information on DP World PGTI, please visit our website: www.pgtofindia.com
Joshi, who claimed his maiden Asian Tour title at the Panasonic Open India in 2018, collected INR 15 lakh. He climbed from 12th to seventh in the Race to DP World India Championship, taking his season earnings to INR 52,34,225.
Persistent rain left the course unsuitable for full 18-hole rounds, prompting the Tournament Committee to reduce each of the four rounds to nine holes over the back nine.
The final round was also suspended for several hours, leaving Joshi uncertain whether play would resume.
“After the delay, the course did not appear playable and we heard that the final round might be abandoned,” Joshi said. “I still had to regain my focus and prepare mentally in case play resumed. I stayed calm and composed, and I’m delighted with how I handled the situation.”
Mhow’s Om Prakash Chouhan (34-29-32-29), the 2023 DP World PGTI Order of Merit champion, produced the joint-lowest score of the day. His five-under 29 featured an eagle on the par-five fourth and three birdies as he finished joint runner-up at 12-under 124.
