Shaurya Sharma leads 23 from Pre-Quali II into Final Stage

By Rahul Banerji

Chandigarh-based amateur Shaurya Sharma topped Pre Qualifying II by five shots on 10-under 134 at the Tata Steel PGTI Qualifying School at Golmuri Golf Course in Jamshedpur on Wednesday.

From a total field of 105, the top 23 players qualified for the Final Qualifying Stage with the cut coming at two over 146, the PGTI said.

Sharma (66-68), overnight leader by one shot, built on his first-round effort with a four-under 68 in round two that featured six birdies and two bogeys.

Shaurya, currently 21st in the rankings on the Indian amateur circuit, was exceptional with his irons and wedges, making 17 greens in regulation for the second day running.

The 21-year-old’s approach shots set up four tap-in birdies where he landed within one foot. He also drove the par-4 12th green for the second straight day to walk away with a two-putt for birdie there.

On target

Shaurya said, “I was very accurate with my hitting today and that helped me achieve my target of a double-digit total.

“Ending up with a 10-under total and a big margin over the others gives me loads of confidence going into the Final Qualifying Stage.

“I would like to thank my coach Akshay Sharma for his guidance and advice as well as Yuvraj Singh Sandhu and Karandeep Kochhar for their encouragement and motivation.”

Kartik Digvijay Singh (72-67) of Panchkula fired the day’s best score of 67 to finish second at five-under 139. Kartik’s error-free round featured an eagle and three birdies.

Bengaluru’s Gagan Vinod took third place at three-under 141.

Missing out was amateur Kritein Gandotra of Jammu who was second overnight but missed the cut by one shot on Wednesday.

There are three Pre Qualifying events in total.

Also read: Aniket Sawant tops Pre Qualifying I, 25 players enter Final Stage