Wooyoung Cho delivered the kind of round he had been waiting for all year, shooting a six-under-par 66 to claim the halfway lead in the Bharath Classic 2025 at Kensville Golf Resort in Gujarat. The Korean stands at 12-under, a shot clear of compatriot Heemin Chang, as the Asian Tour season nears its decisive stretch.

Cho, now in his second year as a professional, entered the week sitting in 56th place on the Order of Merit. While safely inside the top 65 cutoff, a strong finish would provide vital momentum after an up-and-down campaign. His round featured seven birdies and only one blemish, anchored by precise wedge play that repeatedly set up scoring opportunities.

Chang, the opening-round leader, stayed close with a steady 69. At 127th on the Merit list, he needs nothing short of a victory to preserve his status, yet his bogey-free performance kept him firmly in contention. His improved putting helped offset early concerns with his driver, giving him another chance to mount a late-season push.

Spain’s Carlos Pigem and Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat sit a stroke behind Chang, keeping the chase tight. Pigem matched the day’s lowest score with a 65, while Panuphol closed with an eagle that jolted him into the leading pack. Both players are fighting to stay alive this season, with Pigem sitting at 162nd on the Merit list and Panuphol eyeing a much-needed climb.

Season pressure mounts as contenders chase security

Mexican Santiago De la Fuente and Thailand’s Poosit Supupramai share fifth at nine-under, each trying to strengthen their grip on precious ranking spots. De la Fuente entered the week at 62nd, while Poosit sits at 81st and needs a weekend surge to stay in the race.

Poosit said he is avoiding thoughts of the standings altogether, focusing instead on replicating his steady play from the second round. De la Fuente, meanwhile, remains intent on maintaining composure with another tense weekend ahead.

Further down the board, Jazz Janewattananond continued his steady climb back to form with a 70. The seven-time Asian Tour champion sits four shots off the top spot, close enough to reinsert himself into the mix as the weekend unfolds.

Aces highlight an eventful morning at Kensville

The early wave produced two hole-in-one moments, with England’s Harold William acing the par-three 11th on his way to a 65 and India’s Harendra Gupta matching the feat at the par-three fifth. Both players stand at five-under heading into the final two rounds.

This week’s tournament is jointly sanctioned with the Indian Golf Premier League, a recently launched circuit designed to elevate the sport’s profile in India. The final two rounds will feature a Shotgun start, adding another unique wrinkle to a week already carrying major implications for careers across the tour.