Asian Tour Q-School: Ajeetesh is 5th with two rounds remaining

Ajeetesh Sandhu is quietly crafting a remarkable comeback story at the Asian Tour Qualifying Final Stage in Hua Hin, Thailand. The 36-year-old Indian golfer, a former Asian Tour champion, shot a solid 68 in the third round to sit tied-5th at 12-under-par after 54 holes.

Sandhu’s road back to Q-School has been anything but smooth. Persistent back injuries have plagued him over the past few seasons, culminating in a disappointing 82nd-place finish on the 2024 Asian Tour Order of Merit—well outside the top-65 cutoff for retaining full playing rights. Yet, setbacks haven’t dimmed his determination.

Last week, Sandhu claimed victory at the Vishwa Samudra Open 2024 on the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI). It was his fifth domestic title and a much-needed boost heading into this crucial week.

South Korea’s Kyungnam Kang fired a brilliant 65 to reclaim the lead at 16-under. Sandhu, who shared the opening-round lead with Kang, remained composed and firmly in contention. Meanwhile, Indian golfers Karandeep Kochhar and Aryan Roopa Anand both carded 69s and are tied-45th as they navigate Lake View Resort and Golf Club.

The stakes are high. From an initial field of 208, only 143 made the first cut, and after 72 holes, only the top 70 will advance. Ultimately, only the top 35 and ties will secure playing privileges for the 2025 Asian Tour season.

With nine of 13 Indians surviving the cut, Sandhu stands out as a beacon of resilience. His performance underscores his hunger to return to the top tier of Asian golf. As the final rounds approach, Sandhu’s experience and recent form could make all the difference in his quest for redemption.

Other Indian pros and their positions after 54 holes –

Player	Score	Position
Arjun Sharma	73-70-70(E)	T-96
Pukhraj Singh Gill	68-75-71(+1)	T-110
Anshul Kabthiyal	72-70-73(+2)	T-123
Chikkarangappa S.	73-71-71(+2)	T-123
Rashid Khan	71-71-74(+3)	T-130
Honey Baisoya	74-70-72(+3)	T-130