Mansukh Sandhu tops Pre Qualifying II as 22 enter Final Stage

By Rahul Banerji

Chandigarh golfer Mansukh Sandhu totalled 1-under 143 to finish on top in round two of Pre Qualifying II of the Tata Steel PGTI Qualifying School in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

From a total field of 86 in Pre Qualifying II, the top 22 qualified for the Final Qualifying Stage as the cut was declared at seven-over 151.

Sandhu (72-71), overnight ninth and three off the lead, had a quiet front nine on Wednesday with pars all the way.

Mansukh, in his second appearance at the PGTI Qualifying School, then powered ahead of the rest by picking up three birdies in quick succession, landing to within five feet on a couple of occasions.

Sandhu, a winner on the amateur circuit last year, conceded a late double-bogey but still ended up with the day’s joint low score of 1-under 71 in windy conditions.

Tough conditions

The 21-year-old who finished inside the top-20 in last season’s amateur rankings, said, “As a result of the tough pin positions and the wind, I looked for greens in regulation on the front nine.

“The objective was to make the cut for the Final Stage so there were no risks required. I then created more opportunities for myself on the back nine with some good wedge shots.

“This performance gives me the self-belief going into the Final Stage,” added Sandhu, who looks up to professionals such as Gaganjeet Bhullar and Ajeetesh Sandhu.

Pune amateur Rohan Dhole Patil (70-74) finished second at level-par 144 at the Kalhaar Blues and Greens course.

Sidhartha Sharathram and amateur Divyansh Dubey took tied third place at 1-over 145.

The last Pre Qualifying event (Pre Qualifying III) will be held on February 11 and 12.

The qualifiers (in finishing order)

Mansukh Sandhu, Rohan Dhole Patil (A), Sidhartha Sharatram, Divyansh Dubey, Deepak Chouhan, Harsh Gangwar (A), Mandaar S. Prashar (A), Lokesh Lakshman, Aditya Raj Kumar Chauhan, Karan Vasudeva, Arjun Bhati (A), Karan Taunk, Prakhar Asawa, Aniket Sawant, Pranav Harshawardhan Mardikar (A), Raja B.R., Abhirajsinh S. Chauhan, Vaibhav Nair (A), Md Islam, Ajay Kumar Bharti (A), Sk Mohin and Haider Hussain.

Also read: Three-way tie for lead in first round of PGTI Pre Qualifying II