Joaquin Niemann underlined his prowess at the International Series India on Friday, delivering a flawless four-under-par 68 that pushed him into the clubhouse lead on six-under overall.
While fellow competitors found themselves battling the demanding layout at DLF Golf and Country Club, the Chilean managed to keep his card clean—an eagle and two birdies, with no dropped shots in sight—earning himself a two-stroke advantage over American Ollie Schniederjans and Japan’s Kazuki Higa.
Schniederjans signed for a 69, punctuated by four consecutive birdies at the finish, while Higa’s 71 kept him within striking distance.
Guatemala’s Jose Toledo produced the lowest round so far, a 66 highlighted by nine birdies, placing him fourth at three-under.
Meanwhile, American Bryson DeChambeau shot a 72 and sits at one-under heading into the weekend.
The second round was cut short for half the field, thanks to a lingering fog delay that held up play for two hours at the start of the day—on top of a one-hour delay from the previous morning.
First-round leader Eugenio Chacarra from Spain, Mexico’s Abraham Ancer, and the Philippines’ Justin Quiban—all on three-under—still have holes left to finish. They’ll join 50 other players who will resume their rounds early on Saturday.
Niemann’s Steady Hand
Niemann is chasing back-to-back victories on The International Series, having already sealed the season-ending PIF Saudi International in December.
This latest round showed off the same poise: he picked his spots, stayed calm on the ruthless DLF layout, and rolled in a jaw-dropping lob shot for eagle on the par-five eighth before scrambling to save par on the final hole.
“It’s a tough track,” he said. “You’ve really got to trust your lines off the tee. I’m just happy to be in a good spot as we head into the weekend. There’s still a lot of golf left.”
Fresh from a lengthy break that included his wedding, the 26-year-old Torque GC player looks energised.
He’s also kept an impeccable record whenever he’s teed it up on the Asian Tour—finishing inside the top 10 each time he’s played, despite only having five appearances to his name.
Schniederjans in Contention
Schniederjans, who earned his spot in The International Series through last year’s LIV Golf Promotions event, sprinted home with four straight birdies.
None impressed him more than the one he picked up on the fearsome par-four 17th.
“Seventeen might be the craziest hole I’ve ever played in competition,” he admitted.
“You’ve got to land that second shot just right or it can really punish you. Fortunately, I got the perfect number.”
After a celebrated amateur career in which he once occupied the top spot in the world rankings, Schniederjans has battled injuries and spent time on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Seeing familiar faces such as Bryson DeChambeau and Anirban Lahiri again was a reminder of how far he’s come.
Higa Hanging Tough
Kazuki Higa, winner of the 2022 Japan Tour money list, continues to shine as he seeks success beyond his home circuit.
He’s found that patience pays off at DLF Golf and Country Club, pointing out how important it is to avoid big mistakes.
“You need to hit perfect shots all day,” he said. “You don’t have to be aggressive.
Just wait for birdie chances and take them when you can. It’s the same mentality I use in majors back in Japan.”
Looking Ahead
With a fog-delayed field, several top names are poised to make moves when play resumes.
But for now, Niemann’s steady presence atop the leaderboard sets the tone. Fans keen to catch the action in person can register for free entry at the link below.
• To register for free entry, visit:
https://in.bookmyshow.com/specials/international-series-india-presented-by-dlf/ET00428719?webview=true
• For more details on The International Series, head to:
www.internationalseries.com
It’s shaping up to be a weekend filled with suspense, skill, and a touch of drama—just what you’d expect from this newly minted season-opener on The International Series.
Let’s see who can master these intimidating fairways and walk away with the trophy.
