SSP Chawrasia (left) and Gaganjeet Bhullar (right) were the only 2 out of 7 Indians playing to make the cut in Japan
The $2 million International Series Japan, held from May 8–11 at Caledonian Golf Club, wrapped up with LIV Golf’s Lucas Herbert of Australia winning his first Asian Tour and International Series title. But for the seven-member Indian contingent, it was another disappointing week on the Asian Tour, with just two players making the cut and none in contention for a top-20 finish.
The tournament marked the sixth leg of the 2025 Asian Tour season and the third of ten elevated US$2 million International Series events, which serve as a potential gateway to the LIV Golf League.
The highest finisher among the Indians was 11-time Asian Tour winner Gaganjeet Bhullar. The 37-year-old carded rounds of 71-69-71-70 to finish tied-39th at 3-under 281 and is yet to produce a top-10 finish despite flashes of form.
The only other Indian to make the cut was 46-year-old SSP Chawrasia, a 4-time European Tour winner, who finished tied-68th at 3-over 287 after rounds of 70-71-72-74.
The remaining five Indian golfers—three aged over 40 and just two under 30—missed the 36-hole cut, which was set at even-par. Their scores were as follows:
- 53-years-old Jeev Milkha Singh: 1-over 143
- 28-year-old Yuvraj Sandhu: 3-over 145
- 46-year-old Rahil Gangjee: 3-over 145
- 36-year-old Ajeetesh Sandhu: 3-over 145
- 43-year-old Shiv Kapur: 5-over 147
The lack of a single Indian in contention through the weekend continues a worrying pattern on the Asian Tour this year. Since Anirban Lahiri’s tied-10th finish at the International Series India in January, no Indian golfer has registered a top-10 finish in any event on the Asian Tour. With rising international competition and elevated stakes in the International Series, the performance gap has become increasingly visible.
Meanwhile, Lucas Herbert’s wire-to-wire win came on the back of a final-round 64, bringing his total to 20-under 264. He finished five shots clear of Japan’s Yuta Sugiura and South Korea’s Younghan Song, both of whom shared second place at 15-under 269. The 29-year-old Australian, who plays full-time on the LIV Golf League, has now ascended to the top spot in both the Asian Tour and International Series Rankings.
The Asian Tour now heads into a one-week break before returning with the Kolon Korea Open, scheduled from May 22–25 at La Vie Est Belle Resort (Dunes Course). As of now, Yuvraj Sandhu is the only Indian player confirmed in the field.