Nijhawan, Krishna lead at PGTI Q-School pre-qualies; Lahiri for Sony Open

By Rahul Banerji

Zubin Nijhawan of Panchkula and Kochi’s Madesh Krishna returned cards of 2-under-70 to lead round one of the PGTI’s Pre Qualifying I for the 2020 season at the Kensville Golf & Country Club near Ahmedabad on Saturday.

Nijhawan had four birdies against two bogeys while Krishna came up with five birdies to offset his three bogeys. Mumbai-based Akash Modi was third on 1-under-71.

Noida’s Manpreet Mann and Mhow-based Sumeet Choudhary were tied fourth with scores of level par 72.

From a total field of 98, the top 26 players (plus  ties) will qualify from the PGTI Pre Qualifying I, a 36-hole event, for the Final Qualifying Stage. There are three Pre Qualifying events in all.

Lahiri gets Sony Open slot

In PGA Tour news, Anirban Lahiri opens his 2020 campaign at next week’s $6.6 million Sony Open against a quality field that includes defending champion Matt Kuchar and Presidents Cup hero Justin Thomas, amongst others.

Lahiri, who retained his PGA Tour card on the Korn Ferry Tour finals with one round to go, finished tied 43^rd at last year’s event at the Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Currently ranked 406 in the Official World Golf Rankings and 193^rd in the FedEx Cup standings, the 32-year-old standard bearer of Indian golf on the world’s premier tour, will be keen to put away memories of an indifferent 2019 season this time round.

Meanwhile, at the ongoing Sentry Tournament of Champions also taing place in Hawaii, defending champion Xander Schauffele will taje a one-shot lead into Sunday’s final round of the $6.7 million event.

Schauffele, 26, who came from behind last year with an 11-under par round to take the top prize is on 11-under 208 (69-68-71), one ahead of world number five Justin Thomas (67-73-69, 209) and three up on US Open champion Gary Woodland (73-69-69, 211).

Also read: Udayan Mane wins Tour C’ship with PGTI record, Kaul is emerging player