Indian golfer Shaurya Bhattacharya surged into the lead at the Asian Tour Qualifying School after carding a five-under-par 66 on the A&B course in Hua Hin on Saturday, putting himself on course to secure a maiden Asian Tour card.
Bhattacharya moved to 16-under overall to take a one-shot lead with one round remaining, placing him in a strong position to finish inside the top 35 and ties, who earn full playing privileges for the 2026 Asian Tour season.
Japan’s Tomohiro Ishizaka, the overnight leader, stayed firmly in contention after matching Bhattacharya’s 66 to sit second, while Mexico’s Roberto Lebrija was a further stroke back in third. Canadian Henry Lee climbed to fourth following a 67, three shots off the lead, with China’s Lin Yuxin fifth on 67, another stroke behind.
Shubham Jaglan emerged as the other Indian well placed to claim a Tour card, posting a three-under 68 to move into tied eighth after shifting to the C&D course. The 72-hole cut was made at two-under-par, with 71 players advancing to Sunday’s final round, to be played on the C&D course.
Among the remaining Indians, Honey Baisoya (68) was tied 19th, while Rashid Khan (68) and Kartik Singh (70) were tied 37th and still in the hunt. Khalin Joshi (72), Ajeetesh Sandhu (71) and S Chikkarangappa (71) were tied 56th and will need a strong final round to break into the top 35.
Also read: Chandigarh’s golfer Akshay Sharma leads in Coimbatore open
Viraj Madappa, Sachin Baisoya, Yuvraj Singh and Pukhraj Singh Gill missed the cut, which allowed the top 70 and ties to progress to the fifth and final round.
Bhattacharya produced a composed round featuring six birdies against a lone bogey. The 22-year-old from Delhi is bidding for his first Asian Tour card, having competed in only a handful of events at this level. He has already won three titles on the domestic circuit, including two this season.
With a strong amateur pedigree — including representing India at the Eisenhower Trophy in 2023 and the Nomura Cup in 2022 — Bhattacharya appears poised for a breakthrough.
“It was good,” Bhattacharya said.
“I mean, just keep doing what I'm doing, I’m striking the ball well, I'm playing the wind well, and yeah, I mean, just stick to the process. That's it.
“I've been playing for, I think, eight weeks now in a row, so I’m just focusing on keeping the body recovered, that's about it. Eat good food and do some stretching.”
Follow us
