Delhi’s Shubham Narain, who earned his playing rights after four years, in action on day 4 of the PGTI Q School in Jamshedpur on Friday. Image courtesy PGTI.
By Rahul Banerji
Shubham Narain and amateur Anant Singh Ahlawat were deadlocked after two extra playoff holes when fading light forced an end to the fourth and last day of Final Qualifying at the Tata Steel PGTI Qualifying School in Jamshedpur on Friday.
Delhi’s Narain (71-64-67-66) and Ahlawat (67-64-67-70) of Panchkula went into a playoff after they were tied at the top at totals of 16-under 268 at the end of the regulation 72 holes at Golmuri.
Both players then made pars on the first two playoff holes. As there was near darkness by then, play was called off and will resume at 7 am on Saturday, the PGTI said.
The cut in the final round went at 3 under par 281 with the top 33 earning full cards for the 2025 season.
The qualifiers included five amateurs, and six overseas players, three from Bangladesh and one each from the USA, South Korea and Italy.
Twenty-seven-year-old Narain, overnight tied fifth and four off the lead, shot up the leaderboard with a brilliant 5 under 66 on Friday punctuated by seven birdies and two bogeys.
Narain sank three birdie putts from between 10 and 15 feet and got into the playoff with a well-executed bunker shot that led to birdie on 18.
“I had a rough start to the week being three-over after 11 holes but turned it around really nicely after that,” Narain said.
“I’ve made some changes in my approach after learning from mistakes in the last two seasons.
Overnight leader, Panchkula amateur Anant Singh Ahlawat, is locked in battle for the Q School top spot. Image courtesy PGTI.
Big step back
“I’m delighted to earn a full card after four years so I will go into the playoff with a relaxed mind and that should help me put my best foot forward.”
Overnight leader Ahlawat produced a 70 in round four that featured five birdies and four bogeys. The 28-year-old came up with some great iron shots but had an up and down day.
Ahlawat said, “I started really well but then hit a few rough patches in the middle.
“However, I will resume tomorrow with the comfort of knowing that I have sealed my full card. I will tee it up with the good memories of having won twice at Golmuri in the past.”
Delhi-based Ankur Chadha (71) took third place on 13-under 271.
American rookie Koichiro Sato was the best finisher among the overseas contingent, ending the week tied for ninth place on 10 under 274.
Also read: Amateur Ahlawat storms into round three lead at Final Qualifying
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