Ajeetesh Sandhu, the Chandigarh-based golfer, has earned his place on the Asian Tour for the 2025 season. Despite a tense finish with consecutive bogeys, Sandhu managed to secure a spot at the Final Qualifying School held on Saturday.
Sandhu, who recently claimed a victory on his home tour, carded a one-over-par 72 to conclude the tournament tied at 23rd place. With the top 35 players and ties eligible for playing rights in the 2025 season, he successfully clinched his card, ensuring his presence among the continent’s elite golfers.
The tournament had its share of drama for Sandhu, who began the day strongly and was positioned within the top 10 with just two holes to play. However, two bogeys on the final stretch put his qualification at risk. Despite the setback, he held onto a crucial position, confirming his status on the tour.
The upcoming season of the Asian Tour will begin with the prestigious Philippine Open, scheduled from January 23 to 26 at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club. This will be followed by the International Series India, promising an exciting calendar for participating players.
Japan’s Takumi Murakami emerged as the standout performer of the Final Qualifying School. Starting the day as the leader, Murakami delivered a solid one-under-par 70, finishing with a total score of 20-under.
This performance earned him the top spot, edging out South Korea’s Kyungnam Kang by a single stroke. Kang’s steady 69 secured him the runner-up position.
Doyeob Mun, another Korean contender, took third place with a brilliant round of 68, finishing just one stroke behind Kang. Meanwhile, Australian Jack Thompson and China’s Bai Zhengkai tied for fourth, with both golfers displaying exceptional form.
The battle for the final qualification spot proved to be equally gripping. Thailand’s Charng-Tai Sudsom demonstrated nerves of steel, birdying his last two holes to post a remarkable round of 65.
His clutch performance enabled him to finish at 10-under, avoiding a sudden-death playoff that involved 11 players for the last available card.
China’s Wu Ashun, a seasoned golfer and four-time European Tour winner, narrowly missed out on qualification.
Wu, who had been in contention, bogeyed his last three holes to finish at nine under par. His disappointment was compounded by his recent failure to retain his card on the DP World Tour, where he finished 115th on the Order of Merit, just nine points short of England’s Ross Fisher, who secured the 114th spot.
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