Dominguez rides hot streak to grab early lead at Final Qualifying

By Rahul Banerji

Chile’s Matias Dominguez, extended his red-hot form with a spectacular 10-under 61 for the first-round lead at Final Qualifying of the Tata Steel PGTI Qualifying School in Jamshedpur on Tuesday.

Amateur Anshul Kabthiyal struck a bogey-free 64 to be placed second at the par-71 Golmuri Golf Course, the PGTI said.

Dominguez, who won the 2015 Latin America Amateur Championship to earn a spot at the Masters in 2015, has been in the form of his life over the last few days as is now 22-under over his last two rounds at Golmuri.

Last week, the 31-year-old fired a scintillating and historic 12-under 59 to win Pre-Qualifying III at the same venue,

Fresh from his six-shot win on Saturday, Dominguez carried forward the momentum with 11 birdies and a bogey on Tuesday.

Eight in a row

The Santiago-based professional was two-under through the front nine before reeling off eight birdies in a row from holes 11 to 18 thanks to exceptional short iron play and putting.

Dominguez said later, “I started slowly today but on the back nine my game was near perfect. It felt great to make eight birdies in a row.

“I only realised what I had done when I was looking to make the birdie putt on the 18^th. This round just helps me grow in confidence even more.

“One needs to play very strategically at Golmuri. My approach on this course has been not to take too many risks and just play it simple.

“Many birdie opportunities will come your way if you’re putting well. You have to control the trajectory of your shots, something that has worked very well for me this week.” 

Rohit Baisoya and Mohammad Sanju were tied for third place on 6 under 65s.

The top 80 and ties will make the cut after round two and at the end of round four, the top 36 players will earn full cards for the 2024 PGTI season.

Also read: Chile’s Dominguez fires a 59 to win Pre-Quali III as 30 advance