Delhi golfer Shaurya Bhattacharya on his way into the penultimate round lead of the Asian Tour Qualifying School’s FInal Stage at the Lake View Resort & Golf Club in Hua Hin on Saturday. Image courtesy Asian Tour.
By Rahul Banerji
The stage is set for the high-stakes final round of the Asian Tour Qualifying School in Hua Hin, Thailand, with Shaurya Bhattacharya leading the way.
The Delhi golfer carded a 5 under-par 66 on the A&B course at Lake View Resort & Golf Club on Saturday to total 16 under for a one-shot lead, well-placed for one of the 35 cards on offer for next year’s season, the Asian Tour said.
Overnight leader Tomohiro Ishizaka (66) of Japan was second with Mexico’s Roberto Lebrija (66) one shot back in third. He carded a 68 on the A&B course.
Bhattacharya made six birdies against one dropped shot on Saturday. He is looking to secure his Asian Tour card for the first time, having only played in a handful of events over the past few seasons.
He plays on the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) where he has won three times, including twice this season.
Strong record
With a strong amateur record, that saw him ranked number two in India in 2023 and represent his country at the Eisenhower Trophy 2023 and the Nomura Cup in 2022, India looks like they have another star in the making.
“It was good,” said the 22-year-old from Delhi.
“I mean, just keep doing what I’m doing, I’m striking the ball well, I’m playing the wind good, and yeah, I mean, just stick to the process. That’s it.
“I’ve been playing for, I think, eight weeks now in a row, so I’m just focusing on keeping the body recovered, that’s about it. Eat good food and do some stretching.”
Little is known of Ishizaka, who plays on the Japan Golf Tour, but he continues to impress. He started the day with a one-shot lead.
He also revealed that he is a good friend of Kazuki Higa, who claimed the Asian Tour Order of Merit title last week, and it was he who recommended he come and play on the Asian Tour.
“I already have my Japanese tour card, but getting the Asian Tour card, it would be a challenge for me, as a Japanese, and improve my game too,” said Ishizaka, who finished 39th on this year’s Japan Golf Tour Money list.
Unfortunate error
Lebrija would have been tied for lead but for a calamitous double bogey on the par-four 12th.
“Today was more of a slow round. I started off good, made a birdie on 11, but then on 12, I had disaster as you can see from my pants. I had to play it from the water and made double,” he said.
“Tomorrow is gonna be a round where I know that if I just play decent, I have my card secured. But at the same time, I’m trying to win the tournament, you know.
“So gonna try to keep to my game plan. I’ve played that course well, the CD, so I know what to do there. I know that course can play a little tougher sometimes, but if I just keep to my strategy I know I’ll do good.”
Canadian Henry Lee (67) was fourth, three off the lead with China’s Lin Yuxin (67) fifth, a shot further back.
The 72 hole cut fell on Saturday at two under with 71 players making it through to Sunday’s round, which will be played on the C&D course.
On Friday, Bhattacharya (65) and Lebrija (67) were in joint second place a stroke behind Ishizaka.
Also in contenrion after the penultimate round were early leader Shubham Jaglan (10 under 273), Honey Baisoya (8 under), Raashid Khan, Kartik Singh, Khalin Joshi, Ajeetesh Sandhu and Chikkarangappa S.
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