Karandeep Kochhar Seizes Momentum At International Series Morocco With Indian Stars Lahiri And Bhullar

International Series Morocco presented by Visit Morocco began this week at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam. India had a 10-player contingent in the field. Anirban Lahiri and Gaganjeet Bhullar led the established names. Karandeep Kochhar arrived with strong recent results on the Asian Tour.

The tournament line-up also featured Sergio Garcia and Bubba Watson. Kochhar, 26, entered after three top-10 finishes in five Asian Tour starts. Those results added weight to India’s overall challenge. Kochhar also came through a busy three-week stretch across Morocco’s pro events.

Kochhar’s run included a tied-ninth finish at last week’s am green IGPL Bharath Classic. Kochhar also tied for fifth at International Series Japan. Kochhar then placed fourth at the Philippine Golf Championship. That spell followed a win at the Egypt Golf Series Red Sea Open.

Reflecting on the season so far, Kochhar linked the results to progress in form. "I think I’ve been playing really well this year. I’ve only played five events so far and I’ve already had three top-10 finishes, so that’s definitely encouraging," said Kochhar.

Kochhar also described the two weeks outside the top-10. "Even in the other events, I felt like I was playing solid golf. In New Zealand, I just had a poor Sunday, and in Singapore I wasn’t playing my best, but I still managed to make the cut, which I was happy about."

The schedule tested stamina across three straight weeks in the country. Kochhar played on the Asian Development Tour, then the Asian Tour, before this week. The toughest conditions came at Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort. Wind on the coast shaped scoring and added strain across rounds.

"It’s definitely been a bit taxing. The last two weeks at Mazagan were tough because it’s such a windy golf course, and playing in those conditions takes a lot more energy out of you," he said.

"I’m definitely feeling a little tired, but I keep reminding myself how important, and potentially life-changing, this tournament is. I’ll have a long break after this week, so it’s worth giving everything I’ve got."

International Series Morocco: IGPL partnership and top Indian finishes

Kochhar also stood as the leading Indian performer in events linked to the IGPL partnership. Kochhar said that role mattered alongside overall leaderboard aims. "I think it’s awesome. There’s so much talent on the IGPL Tour and in Indian golf in general, so it was great to see the IGPL and Asian Tour come together for this partnership," he said.

"I’m fortunate that I’ve been able to do well and finish as the top Indian player recently, and I definitely take pride in that. Of course, you always want to finish high on the leaderboard overall, but there’s also a part of me that wants to be the best Indian finisher each week."

International Series Morocco: practice match and time with Anirban Lahiri

A practice-week game added early competition around the Indian group. "We actually had a little seven-hole match today. Me and Aryan (Roopa Anand) versus Anirban and Shaurya (Bhattacharya)," Kochhar said with a smile.

"Aryan and I were two down with two holes to play, but I birdied the last two holes to halve the match. I was pretty happy about that."

"Honestly, it’s amazing having Anirban here. It means a lot for all of us when someone with his experience comes out to The International Series and spends time playing practice rounds with us.

"He has so much knowledge from playing on the PGA Tour and LIV Golf over the years, and you can learn so much just being around him. Right now, he’s carrying the Indian flag in global golf, and he’s an amazing role model — not just as a player, but as a person too.

"We’re all really happy to have him here, and hopefully I get to play some more rounds with him this week."

With Lahiri and Bhullar in the mix, India carried depth into International Series Morocco. Kochhar added form from recent Asian Tour and IGPL-linked events. The week also featured major international names in the field. Kochhar’s comments pointed to both fatigue and focus after a demanding run in Morocco.