Rajesh Kumar leads Pre-Qualifying I as PGTI Q-School begins in Ahmedabad

Rajesh Kumar shot a 3-under 69 to take the first-round lead as the PGTI Qualifying School 2026 got underway at Kensville Golf & Country Club in Ahmedabad on Saturday, with Pre-Qualifying I beginning the three-event First Stage.

Kumar, who hails from Panchkula, made six birdies against a bogey and a double bogey to sit one clear after day one.

Five players are tied for second at 1-under 71: Md Nawab, Rishi Raj Singh Rathore, amateurs Aryav Shah and Shubham Kumar, and Uganda’s Marvin Kibirige.

The Qualifying School is the primary route into the PGTI, setting playing status for the season. This year’s edition has over 450 participants, including 39 overseas golfers.

The First Stage comprises three 36-hole events — Pre-Qualifying I (January 17–18), Pre-Qualifying II (January 20–21) and Pre-Qualifying III (January 23–24). A total of 77 players from the First Stage will advance to the Final Stage (January 27–30), where they will join exempt players and compete for full cards for the 2026 season. The Final Stage offers a prize purse of INR 10 lakh.

Photo – PGTI/Rajesh Kumar