Richard T. Lee surged to the top of the leaderboard after the opening round of LIV Golf Promotions, leading a strong Asian Tour contingent into Round 2 as the high-stakes battle for LIV Golf cards intensified at Black Diamond Ranch Golf & Country Club in Florida.

The 2024 BNI Indonesian Masters champion carded a flawless, bogey-free six-under-par 64 to take the outright lead – comfortably leading the top 20 and ties in to Round 2 of the elimination-format event.

Lee’s sharp start continues a run of consistency across The International Series in 2025, where he posted a fifth-place finish at International Series Macau presented by Wynn, a top-10 result at International Series India presented by DLF, and top-20 finishes at both the Jakarta International Championships and the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers.

On a demanding course that placed a premium on precision, Lee leaned on strong ball-striking and timely putting to separate himself from the field.

“It’s a tough course,” said the Canadian. “You really have to drive it well, and the greens are very undulated. I found a lot of fairways, placed my ball in good positions on the greens, and managed to hole a few putts.”

Sadom Kaewkanjana.

Four of Lee’s birdies came over his closing six holes, a stretch he credited to a confident putter heating up at the right time.

“My putting definitely came together late,” he explained. “I wasn’t hitting it super close all day, but I made some key putts — 10- to 15-footers, and one around 30 feet. Those putts were right in the middle, which felt great.”

While a first-round lead provides momentum, Lee remains mindful of the unique elimination format, with scores resetting ahead of Round 2.

“It’s only the first round,” he said. “Finishing first always feels good, but everything resets tomorrow. The focus is the same, hit fairways, place the ball on the right side of the greens, and let good golf take care of itself.”

Just two shots back, Sadom Kaewkanjana and Suteepat Prateeptienchai from Thailand led the chasing pack, finishing tied second after 66s to underline the depth of talent progressing from the Asian Tour.

Sadom, a former LIV Golf League player, credited a disciplined approach and familiarity with the conditions for his fast start. “I played very solid today,” said Sadom. “I hit 16 greens in regulation and everything felt good overall. The game plan worked well, so I’m just looking to keep that going tomorrow.”

Suteepat Prateeptienchai.

Competing in the United States remains a rare but motivating experience for Sadom, who has spent the majority of his career in Asia. “I’m really excited to be playing in the U.S. because most of my golf has been in Asia,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for me, so I tried to bring good energy out there today.”

Having featured during LIV Golf’s inaugural season in 2022, Sadom is determined to earn his way back onto the League. “LIV Golf is the biggest golf league in the world and has so many great players,” he said. “Playing in 2022 gave me amazing experience competing alongside the best, and that really motivates me to try and get back again.”

Thai players featured prominently on the leaderboard, something Sadom attributed to familiar playing conditions. “The grass and the weather are very similar to Thailand — it’s hot and humid, so we don’t need much adjustment,” he explained.

Looking ahead to Round 2, the focus will be on precision rather than aggression. “I want to hit more fairways,” Sadom added. “Tomorrow the course will be tougher, so that will be very important.”

A host of Asian Tour and International Series players joined Lee, Sadom and Suteepat in advancing to Round 2, reinforcing the Tours’ growing influence on the global stage. Those progressing included Hongtaek Kim (66), Austen Truslow (67), Dominic Foos (67), Sarit Suwannarut (67), Travis Smyth (68), Poom Saksansin (68), Pavit Tangkamolprasert (69) and Tomoyo Ikemura (69).

Filipino golf hero Miguel Tabuena will take his campaign for a place on the LIV Golf League to its final battleground this week, after narrowly missing out on The International Series Rankings race last year.

By finishing third on the Rankings – only the top two made it through – he earned direct exemption into Round 2 of LIV Golf Promotions. The high-pressure event tees off tomorrow at Black Diamond Ranch Golf & Country Club in Florida – where two more LIV Golf League places are on the line.

It is Tabuena’s final route into golf’s elite stage, and one he is approaching with purpose.

“I’m coming into Promotions with a really strong mindset,” Tabuena said. “Missing out in the Rankings race hurt, but it also motivated me. I know what’s at stake, and I know I can compete with anyone in that field. It’s about staying patient, staying focused, and trusting the game that got me here.”

That motivation comes directly from the intensity of the series finale at the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, where the 31-year-old came agonisingly close to breaking into the top two. If he had finished two shots better he would have dislodged Japan’s Yosuke Asaji from second place.

Miguel Tabuena with his family after winning the International Series Philippines last year. Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.

Reflecting on the final round, Tabuena admitted he felt on the brink of a breakthrough. A hot start had him firmly in contention, but costly mistakes on the demanding back nine saw him just fall short.

“It stings,” Tabuena admitted. “You work all year for these moments, and I felt like I was right there. I fought until the last hole, and I’m proud of that. That’s golf.”

Despite the disappointment, Tabuena left Saudi Arabia with immense pride. His historic wire-to-wire victory at International Series Philippines in October, in front of home fans, stands as one of the breakthrough moments of the season. Consistent, composed, and fearless, he ultimately closed the year with a career-best finish on the Rankings.

“The season was a highlight of my career,” he said. “Winning in the Philippines… that meant everything. To be in the mix all year for the LIV spots shows how far my game has come.”

He added that the season’s pressure-filled moments have sharpened him for exactly this challenge.

“This year taught me how to handle pressure at the highest level. Promotions will be no different. I’m ready to give everything I have.”

The International Series are 10 upper-tier events on the Asian Tour that provide a pathway on to the LIV Golf League via The International Series Rankings. Zimbabwean Scott Vincent finished first last year for the second time in his career. He also topped the Rankings in 2022 – the inaugural year of LIV Golf.

Few players appreciate the life-changing potential of LIV Golf Promotions quite like Kieran Vincent.

Three years on from emerging as one of the inaugural success stories of the event, the Zimbabwean enters this year’s edition at Black Diamond Ranch Golf & Country Club knowing firsthand that one exceptional week can change everything.

Vincent was among the first players to experience the full impact of LIV Golf Promotions in 2023, when a tied-second finish secured him one of three coveted LIV Golf League cards. That breakthrough launched him onto the global stage, earning a place on the Iron Heads GC and opening the next chapter of his career.

Now 28, Vincent arrives in Florida this week carrying a sharper, more battle-tested edge. Following relegation from the LIV Golf League, his 2025 campaign on The International Series, the Asian Tour’s set of elevated events, became both a proving ground and a reset. It was a season defined by resilience, perspective, and one navigated alongside his brother amid one of the most fiercely contested Rankings races in Series history.

“It’s really cool to be back and have the chance to compete at LIV Golf Promotions again,” Vincent said. “Going through the process in 2023 and earning my card was a great experience, and knowing I’ve done it before gives me a lot of belief that it’s possible again. I’m grateful to have that experience behind me, and it’s definitely an honour to be back in the field.”

While the stakes remain familiar, Vincent insists his mindset has evolved. Experience has taught him that at Promotions, opportunity doesn’t always have to be grasped perfectly.

Kieran Vincent (left) made it through LIV Golf Promotions in 2023, along with Kalle Samoooja and Jinchiro Kozuma. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

“In terms of preparation, not a lot changes, good golf usually takes care of itself,” he explained. “But one thing I remember telling myself after 2023 was that while you always want to win, a top-three finish can be life-changing. This week is another reminder of that. You don’t often go into a tournament thinking top three is enough, but here it really can open doors — and that’s what makes it so special.”

Competing in The International Series in 2025, Vincent produced a string of solid performances that reflected growth and grit. Highlights included a tied-third finish at the Jakarta International Championship, finishing just behind his brother, along with top-15 results at International Series Macau presented by Wynn and International Series Japan presented by Moutai.

“My season on The International Series was solid,” Vincent said. “There were some good finishes, though of course I would’ve liked it to be a little stronger overall. But I learned a lot about my game, about myself, and about how I handle things both on and off the course. Those lessons will really help propel my career this year and beyond.”

The season-long battle for Rankings positions was among the tightest the Series has seen, with two LIV Golf League cards on offer, a dynamic which Vincent believes raises the standard and the pressure.

“The Rankings race was incredibly tight,” he said. “Whenever there’s a lot on the line, things naturally become more intense. Having two spots available was a great opportunity, and hopefully that continues going forward, because it really rewards consistently good golf. The guys who finished top two played outstanding golf, so full credit to them.”

Adding another layer to Vincent’s motivation is the success of his brother Scott, who secured his own route back to LIV. It is a family journey that has sharpened his focus heading into the week.

“It was really special to see my brother earn his way back,” Vincent said after his brother finished top of the 2025 Rankings.

“He worked incredibly hard and played great golf all season, so it was fully deserved. We’ve spent a lot of time supporting each other, and the idea of being back out there together again would mean a lot. It’s definitely added motivation, but at the end of the day, you still have to go out there and take care of what you can control.”

LIV Golf announced it has increased its regular season field size and enhanced the qualifying opportunities for 2026 in the third edition of LIV Golf Promotions, set for 8-11 January, 2026, at the acclaimed Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, Florida. The four-day, 72-hole stroke play event presents one of the most dynamic entry points into the global golf ecosystem, offering coveted spots in the 2026 LIV Golf League and The International Series, sanctioned by the Asian Tour.

Beginning this February, LIV Golf’s regular season field size will increase to 57 players, with 13 four-player teams and five Wild Card players competing throughout the League’s global schedule. LIV Golf Promotions will now reward the top three finishers with full-season Wild Card spots in the 2026 LIV Golf League, an increase from the two spots previously announced. The top 10 finishers, including ties, will earn full exemption into the 2026 International Series, the set of elevated events sanctioned by the Asian Tour. The move further enhances the pathways into LIV Golf from 2025 to 2026, with an increase in exemptions from one to two players through The International Series and an increase from one to three players through LIV Golf Promotions. The five qualifying players will compete independently as Wild Cards in 2026 with guaranteed spots in the League’s 13 regular season events.

“LIV Golf is committed to moving the sport forward by expanding opportunity and access,” said LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil. “We are opening pathways—creating more chances for top talent to compete in the world’s golf league. Adding another qualifying spot strengthens our field and adds excitement to a season built on opportunity, competition, and growth.”

Scott Vincent and Yosuke Asaji finished first and second on The International Series Rankings to secure their places on the LIV Golf League. Picture by Ian Walton/Asian Tour.

The top three finishers in LIV Golf Promotions will enter the 2026 LIV Golf League alongside Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent and Japan’s Yosuke Asaji, who sealed their spots as the top two players in the final rankings of the 2025 International Series, which concluded last month at the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers at Riyadh Golf Club.

Highlighting the global aspect of the LIV Golf League, leading players from all over the world are eligible to participate in LIV Golf Promotions, with 83 players representing 24 countries registered to compete. This year’s field features a strong blend of emerging global talent and proven professionals, with an average age of 30 years old, including former top-50-ranked players, Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup participants, winners on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and Asian Tour, and additional rising stars in the game. More than half (47) of the 83 players have won an event in the past two years, including 32 different tournament winners in 2025 (all events eligible with the Official World Golf Ranking / World Amateur Golf Ranking).

LIV Golf Promotions will consist of four rounds of 18-hole stroke play. Starting Thursday, January 8, those who finish in the top 20 and ties from round one will advance to Friday’s round two, where scores will reset, and the field will be joined by a category of players who automatically qualified for day two of competition. The top 20 players and any ties following round two will advance to the third day of competition, with scores reset once more. An intense two-day, 36-hole shootout will commence, and at Sunday’s conclusion, the top three finishers will earn three highly coveted spots in the LIV Golf League for 2026, as well as US$200,000 for first place, US$150,000 for second place, and US$100,000 for third place. The top 10 finishers, including ties, will earn full exemption into the 2026 International Series, sanctioned by the Asian Tour. LIV Golf Promotions offers a total prize purse of US $1.5 million.

The current field features many standout names, including:

• Chris Wood (England): 2016 Ryder Cup player and three-time European Tour winner
• Pablo Ereno (Spain): 2025 Palmer Cup player and former sixth-ranked player in World Amateur Golf Rankings
• Miguel Tabuena [main picture] (Philippines): Two-time Olympian and third-ranked player in 2025 International Series standings
• Christopher Wood (Australia): Current top-ranked player on the PGA Tour of Australasia
• Alex Levy (France): Five-time DP World Tour winner

LIV Golf League players without a 2026 team commitment who finished the season in the Open Zone (25th-48th), as well as relegated players (49th-54th), also have an opportunity to secure their playing rights for the 2026 season.

Several returning LIV Golf players are entered in the field, including Ben Campbell, who competed with RangeGoats GC and finished the season ranked 36th in the LIV Golf standings; Matt Jones, formerly of Ripper GC, who concluded the year in 40th place; and Anthony Kim, a three-time PGA Tour winner and former world No. 6 who was a member of the victorious 2008 United States Ryder Cup team, finishing the season ranked 55th. Each will be competing to regain their League status for 2026.

Broadcast details for LIV Golf Promotions will be unveiled next week. For more information, including the list of eligibility criteria, visit LIVGolf.com.

With the 2025 season now over, the final statistics are complete and pretty much on par with the year’s most successful golfers.

Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Kazuki Higa [main picture] topped two of the major statistical categories. Finishing an impressive 135 under par for the year he led the Total Against Par list, and with a low average of only 1.83 Bogeys per Round he was also first on that table.

The Japanese golfer’s stellar season – highlighted by back-to-back victories in the Shinhan Donghae Open and Yeangder TPC in September – also saw him finish with seven top-10s, equalled only by Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho.

Having played six events compared to Higa’s 14, it was American Peter Uihlein who had the Best Scoring Average with 68.41, at an average of 2.8 under par per round. He also topped Birdies per Round with an average of 5.23 – a full point ahead of Higa in second with 4.22.

Wei-hsuan Wang.

Wang Wei-hsuan from Chinese Taipei had a breakthrough season, suggesting a star is born. A runner-up finish in the SJM Macao Open, after a play-off loss, caught the eye, as did a T2 and third place result in his two home ground events, the Yeangder TPC and Mercuries Taiwan Masters. He finished a career best ninth on the Merit list. He showed excellent touch on the greens, winning the Putts per GIR with 1.706, and also immense power off the tee topping the Driving Distance statistic with an average of 326.44 yards on the measuring holes.

Australian Kevin Yuan is known as one of the premier ball strikers on the Asian Tour, so it was no surprise to see him on top of the GIR category with 78.81%. His fine approach play led to five top 10s during the season, with a T3 at the Mandiri Indonesia Open being his best result.

Gaganjeet Bhullar from India, an 11-time Asian Tour winner, was highly accurate off the tee with 80.13% of Fairways Hit, leading this category, a whopping 5% better than Chinese Taipei’s Hung Chien-yao who was in second with 75.10%.

Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut, a two-time Asian Tour champion, led the tour in Most Eagles with 12 made in 17 events. One of the tour’s most powerful drivers, he was also prolific in making Most Birdies recording 243 during the year, or 3.98 per round, placing sixth in the category.

Peter Uihlein.

Travis Smyth from Australia is one of the tour’s most consistent performers, recording five top 10’s with the high mark coming at the Mandiri Indonesia Open when he finished T3. His solid play resulted in a category leading 262 in Most Birdies in 17 events during the year.

American Chase Koepka was the best in recovering after bogies and led the Bounce Back category with 28.8%, referring to when he made birdie immediately following holes where he dropped shots. He had his best season on the Asian Tour finishing 46^th on the Merit list, keeping his card for the first time since joining in 2022.

Sadly, Bangladeshi veteran Siddikur Rahman was the only anomaly. He was impressive on and around the greens, leading the Putts per Round category with 28.13 and also topping the Tour in Scrambling with 73.98%. However, he finished the year 94^th on the Merit list to lose his Tour card for only the third time in 15 years.

Statistics Categories leaders from the 2025 Asian Tour season:

• Scoring Average: Peter Uihlein (USA) 68.41 (6 events, 22 rounds)
• Total Against Par: Kazuki Higa (JPN) -135 (14 events, 54 rounds)
• Putts per Round: Siddikur Rahman (BAN) 28.13 (8 events, 30 rounds)
• Putts per GIR: Wang Wei-hsuan (TPE) 1.706 (14 events, 54 rounds)
• GIR: Kevin Yuan (AUS) 78.81% (15 events, 54 rounds)
• Fairways Hit: Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) 80.13% (9 events, 32 rounds)
• Driving Distance: Wang Wei-hsuan (TPE) 326.44 yards (14 events, 54 rounds)
• Most Eagles: Sarit Suwannarut (THA) 12 (17 events, 61 rounds)
• Most Birdies: Travis Smyth (AUS) 262 (17 events, 64 rounds)
• Fewest Bogies per Round: Kazuki Higa (JPN) 1.83 (14 events, 54 rounds)
• Scrambling: Siddikur Rahman (BAN) 73.98% (8 events, 30 rounds)
• Bounce back: Chase Koepka (USA) 28.80% (14 events, 42 rounds)
• Top 10’s: Kazuki Higa (JPN), Taichi Kho (HKG) 7

Lin Yuxin, a two-time Asia-Pacific Amateur champion, finished number one in class at the Final Stage of the Asian Tour’s Qualifying School today – leading 35 players who secured their cards for the 2026 season.

After five days of blood, sweat and tears, Lin, a lefthander, carded a four-under-par 67 to emerge victorious after a close finish.

The 23-year-old finished with a tournament total of 16-under to win by one from India’s Shaurya Bhattacharya.

Lin, playing in the penultimate group, was tied with Bhattacharya playing the difficult par-four 18^th. The Chinese golfer made par while Bhattacharya, in the last group, finished with a bogey.

Bhattacharya closed with a 72, while Canadian Henry Lee ended third, after shooting 70. Lee finished two behind the winner, frustratingly having made a double on the last.

Lin Yuxin.

Mexico’s Roberto Lebrija (72) finished fourth and Australian Will Florimo (70) was fifth. The final round was played on the C&D course at Lake View Resort & Golf Club, in Hua Hin, Thailand.

Victory by Lin is a huge milestone for the highly-rated golfer. He won the Asia-Pacific Amateur in 2017 and 2019 and played college golf at the University of Florida.

He has been playing the PGA Tour Americas and some Korn Ferry Tour events since turning professional in 2023, with putting issues, mainly ‘mental’ he says, holding him back.

There were no such issues this week, as he shot rounds of 68, 67, 70, 67 and 67.

“It’s definitely a great feeling to get through Q School, it’s one of the toughest tournaments in golf for any professional, so just fortunate enough to get in this week,” said Lee – who made an eagle, three birdies and one bogey today.

“I’ve been hitting it good all season, just been having trouble with the putter, mainly throughout the summer. I did some work on it during October and November, so the game has been feeling good for a while.”

Shaurya Bhattacharya.

On the transition to the professional game, he said: “It’s been tough, it’s a lot of ups and downs and just trying to stay patient to be honest. I’ve learned a lot in the last few years after I turned pro, so it’s been a good learning experience.”

Bhattacharya started the day leading by one and was in pole for much of the round but was undone by bogeys on 12, 13, and 18.

Nevertheless, it was an outstanding week for the in-form 22-year-old who is currently third on the Professional Golf Tour of India Order of Merit with two wins.

He said: “It was a tough last day, but lot of positives. I made a lot of birdies, just that today I made too many bogeys. But looking at the positives, I made I think 27 birdies this week, which is a good number, and, yeah, looking forward to the season next year.

“I play a tournament to win, that’s my goal. Even if it’s a Q-School, I want to win. So, it was stress free in the sense that the cut line wasn’t a factor, but I wanted to finish number one, just couldn’t finish it off.”

Henry Lee.

Other notables to have safely made it through included South African Justin Harding, Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat, Indonesian Naraajie Ramadhanputra, Berry Henson from the United States, and India’s Rashid Khan and Ajeetesh Sandhu.

Chinese-Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang, Singaporean Gregory Foo, Hong Kong’s Shunyat Hak and Malaysian Khavish Varadan also qualified.

Shergo Al Kurdi made an all-important 10-foot putt for par on the last to finish in a tie for 19^th on six under. He missed the ensuing play-off by one to become the first player from Saudi Arabia to make it through Final Stage.

As ever, the battle for the 35^th card proved to be gripping. Twelve players ended in a sudden-death play-off for the last eight cards, after they finished on five under in joint 28^th.

Japan’s Tomohiro Ishizaka, who started the day in second but crashed to an 81 today, was one of those who was happy to survive the extra-holes. He was joined by Carson Herron, the young American who is the son of former PGA Tour star Tim Herron, Carlos Pigem from Spain, Welshman David Boote, Jin Zihao from China, Germany’s Marc Hammer, and Marcus Plunkett from Australia.

The play-off went to five holes with Shubham Jaglan from India the last to get in at the expense of Kelvin Si.

Pictures by Jason Butler/Asian Tour.

The stage has been set for tomorrow’s crucial and high-stakes final round of the Asian Tour Qualifying School – with India’s Shaurya Bhattacharya head of the class at the moment.

He carded a five-under-par 66 on the A&B course at Lake View Resort & Golf Club today to move to 16-under for a one-shot lead, in the ideal position to take one of the 35 cards on the line for next year’s season.

Japan’s Tomohiro Ishizaka, the overnight leader, is in second also following a 66, with Roberto Lebrija from Mexico one shot back in third. He carded a 68. Both were also on A&B.

Bhattacharya made six birdies and dropped the one shot in a confident round. He is looking to secure his Asian Tour card for the first time, having only played in a handful of events over the past few seasons.

He plays on the Professional Golf Tour of India where, where he has won three times, including two this season.

With a strong amateur record, that saw him ranked number two in India in 2023 and represent his country at the Eisenhower Trophy 2023 and the Nomura Cup in 2022, India looks like they have another star in the making.

Tomohiro Ishizaka.

“It was good,” said the 22-year-old from Delhi.

“I mean, just keep doing what I’m doing, I’m striking the ball well, I’m playing the wind good, 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.”

Little is known of Ishizaka, who plays on the Japan Golf Tour, but he continues to impress. He started the day with a one-shot lead.

He also revealed today that he is a good friend of Kazuki Higa, who claimed the Asian Tour Order of Merit title last week, and it was he who recommended he come and play on the Asian Tour.

“I already have my Japanese tour card, but getting the Asian Tour card, it would be a challenge for me, as a Japanese, and improve my game too,” said Ishizaka, who finished 39^th on this year’s Japan Golf Tour Money list.

“I wanted to come out last year, but it was delayed because I wanted to secure my Japanese tour card first. So, this year, hopefully I can get that card.

“The course played different today, and even though I made quite a few putts, I still had more birdie chances but didn’t make them. My game was more consistent today, but there’s one more day so I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

Lebrija would have had tied for lead but for a calamitous double bogey on the par-three 12^th.

“Yeah, today was more of a slow round. I started off good, made a birdie on 11, but then on 12, I had disaster as you can see from my pants. I had to play it from the water and made double,” he said.

Roberto Lebrija.

“So, a little slow, able to make a birdie there on 14. Didn’t take advantage of the par five, but finished even my first nine, which is fine. Then I started really good on the front, I went birdie one, birdie two, almost birdie three, birdie four. And then I hit to two feet for eagle on five, but I missed it. It took me like 10 minutes to hit my putt, and I think I lost concentration and I missed the putt but ended up making birdie. I had an unfortunate bogey on number eight, but pretty decent round.

“Yeah, tomorrow is gonna be a round where I know that if I just play decent, I have my card secured. But at the same time, I’m trying to win the tournament, you know. So gonna try to keep to my game plan. I’ve played that course well, the CD, so I know what to do there. I know that course can play a little tougher sometimes, but if I just keep to my strategy I know I’ll do good.”

Canadian Henry Lee (67) holds fourth, three off top spot with China’s Lin Yuxin (67) fifth, a shot further back.

The 72-hole cut was made today, at two under.

71 players have made it through to tomorrow, which will be played on the C&D course.

Pictures by Jason Butler/Asian Tour.

Unheralded Tomohiro Ishizaka from Japan is the surprise third-round leader at the Final Stage of the Asian Tour’s Qualifying School.

He shot a seven-under-par 64, for a tournament total of 12-under and a one-shot lead over India’s Shaurya Bhattacharya, who carded a 65, and Roberto Lebrija from Mexico, who came in with a 67.

Korean amateur Minchan Kim is another stroke behind, following a 68. Two layouts are being used this week, with all four leaders today playing the C&D course here at Lake View Resort & Golf Club, in the seaside resort town of Hua Hin, Thailand.

Overnight leader Shubham Jaglan from India, shot a 73 and is in a tie for 10^th, five behind the leader. He doubled the 18^th but is still well placed going into the final two rounds. The top-70 and ties make the 72-hole cut tomorrow with the leading 35 on Sunday securing their cards for the 2026 season on the Asian Tour.

Ishizaka qualified for this week by making it through a pre-qualifier last week. He finished fifth at Phoenix Gold Golf Bangkok.

Shaurya Bhattacharya.

He has only played in three Asian Tour events during his career, but looks set the change that next year, with two steady closing rounds required.

“I have been putting well since last week’s qualifier,” said the 26-year-old, who has played mainly on the Japan Golf Tour, with a best finish of second place in the 2020 Dunlop Phoenix.

He was bogey free today, with three birdies on the front, and four on the homeward half.

“I didn’t hit the ball well on the last hole, but apart from that it was great today,” he added.

Bhattacharya is another with minimal playing time on the Asian Tour. Aged 22 though and with two wins on the Professional Golf Tour of India this year, and one last season, he is clearly one to look out for.

He said: “Pretty good round. I felt like the wind was a little down today compared to the previous two days, and I had a good run on the back nine. I chipped it in on two consecutive holes, so that was good. But all in all, I hit the ball really well and I made putts.”

He chipped on 15 and 16 for those gains, with the 15^th being for an eagle.

He admitted that his short game is usually one of his specialties.

Roberto Lebrija.

“Yeah, it is,” he explained. “I chip the ball comparatively good, it’s just about putting. I feel like my strength is hitting. I drove the ball really well today. I feel like I probably hit almost every fairway today. So that was really good. I had good approach shots onto the greens. So gave myself a lot of body opportunities.”

Any concerns Lebrija has about being back at school for second year in a row are being laid to rest. He was 12^th last year and is well placed once again this week.

“Yeah, it was not the easiest of days, the pins were in difficult spots. That front nine played kind of difficult and I played well. I was able to make a couple birdies. I hit it good, gave myself a lot of chances and then the back nine, played solid,” he said.

He finished the year 83^rd on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, just missing out on ending in the top 65, which keeps your card, at the season-ending Saudi Open presented by PIF last week. He tied for 22^nd there.

He added: “I feel like I am pretty prepared, because I’ve been playing tournaments, so that helped. But man, last year, for example, I came here, I think I played five practice rounds. This year, I did two but rushing basically. Yeah, it was pretty close timing wise just right after Saudi. But I don’t know, I think playing well in Saudi helped me to know that I can do it here. So, in the end it wasn’t too bad.”

China’s Andi Xu carded the joint best round of the week, a nine-under-par 62 on the A&B layout. He is another stroke back in fifth with Canadian Henry Hyoun Ho Lee, who fired a 70, on C&D.

Thailand’s Thanapol Charoensuk, who won back-to-back titles on Thailand’s domestic tours in July, also impressed with a 62 on the A&B course to move into a tie for 10^th.

Pictures by Jason Butler/Asian Tour.

India’s Shubham Jaglan has only been a professional golfer for less than half a year, but he’s put himself in a strong position to enjoy a full playing schedule on the Asian Tour in 2026 by taking the second-round lead at the Final Stage of the Tour’s Qualifying School today.

Jaglan, who turned professional in July after graduating from the University of South Florida, shot a five-under-par 66 on the C&D nines at Lake View Resort & Golf Club, to top the leaderboard on nine-under.

Chinese-Taipei’s Liu Yung-hua is in second place one back after carding a 69, on the same layout as Jaglan, along with Canadian Henry Hyoun Ho Lee – who returned a 65 on the other course used this week, the A&B.

Australian Will Florimo, the joint first-round leader from Australia, is in a big group of players another stroke behind after carding a 71. Florimo was in the driver’s seat for most of the day, playing A&B, but made bogey on 16 and a double on the last.

Florimo shares third with Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat (65), Koreans Minchan Kim (66), an amateur, and Inhoi Hur (67), plus China’s Lin Yuxin (67), and Mexico’s Roberto Lebrija (69).

Shubham Jaglan.

Michael Pearce who shared the opening round lead with his countryman Florimo, returned a 72 and is an additional shot back.

Jaglan carded a 67 yesterday and was equally as confident today, comfortably handling the pressure of Qualifying School – which will see the top 35 on Sunday earn their cards for next season.

“I played awesome,” said the 21-year-old from New Delhi.

“I’ve been putting really well. If I count the feet of putts I made – I think tour average is like 70-80, me and my coach keep a track of that – and I’ve had over 100 feet of putts both days.”

He made his professional debut in July, surviving the cut at the Bromont Open on the PGA Tour Americas in Canada. He has continued to build on that and finished second at the Trident Open, after losing in a play-off, on the Professional Golf Tour of India, just last month.

“I’m reading my lines really well. I think I did a much better job of not getting angry. I think I struggled with that a little bit yesterday and let a few silly shots get away,” he added.

“It was playing tougher, we played CD, and it was playing a little tougher, but I managed to do a great job of staying present and just focusing on one shot at a time.”

He was bogey free on the front side, making birdies on three, seven and eight. Another birdie followed on 12 before he dropped his only shot of the day on 14. Birdies on 15 and 17 saw him move in front with little time to spare.

Will Florimo. 

Liu is here this week having finished 84^th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit – which sees the top 65 keep their cards for next year.

He won on the Asian Development Tour in 2024, at the BNI Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament, which helped him finish in the top 10 of the ADT Order of Merit, to earn his card for the main tour this year. It’s been a poor season though, as he missed 11 cuts from 16 starts.

He said: “I just tried to go for a high GIR percentage, and it worked well. Tee shots were off but second shots good and I hit a lot of greens.”

After yesterday’s fine 64 and off the back of an excellent season on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia – he is fourth on their Order of Merit – Florimo looked to be running away with it on the front nine. He was 11-under for the tournament after going out in three under. However, the wheels came off on the second half, starting with bogeys on 13 and 14 before his disappointing finish.

“I started really nicely and, yeah, I mean, over a week like this, you’re gonna have times where the golf swing doesn’t feel like it should,” he said.

“Got a bit of a bad break on 18, I thought I hit a good tee shot and it rolled down into the hazard against a rock. And I probably got a bit greedy out of there and took too many. But overall, I mean, if you told me I’d be seven under through two rounds, I’d be fine with that. So got to look at it that way, and there’s still three rounds of golf.”

Itthipat Buranatanyarat.

A cut was made today with the top 140 and ties making it into the next two rounds. A total of 144 players made it through after the cut was made at three over.

After 72 holes the leading 70 players and ties, will play the final round on Sunday.

Pictures by Jason Butler/Asian Tour.

Australians Will Florimo and Michael Pearce’s attempts to secure playing privileges on next year’s Asian Tour started ideally today after they took the first-round lead in the Final Stage of Qualifying School.

They shot seven-under-par 64s at Lake View Resort & Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand, although on different layouts. The former was on the C&D layout and the latter on the A&B course.

Chinese-Taipei’s Liu Yung-hua, Korean Junhong Park plus Tomohiro Ishizaka from Japan are in a tie for third following 65s, on A&B.

Thailand’s Kosuke Hamamoto, Roberto Lebrija from Mexico and Singaporean Gregory Foo are next best placed after 66s on C&D, while American Luke Schniederjans – brother of Olle Schniederjans – Ireland’s Alex Maguire, Carlos Pigem from Spain, Malaysia’s Marcus Lim and Australian Brett Rankin returned the same score on A&B.

The top 35 will earn their Tour cards on Sunday, after the five-round school comes to an end, with the two Australian frontrunners looking to get onto the Tour for the first time.

Michael Pearce.

Florimo came mighty close to doing so this time last year in the Final Stage, when it was also played at Lake View. He finished one shot behind the player who ended 35^th, Filipino Sean Ramos.

“Redemption, yes definitely feel that way,” said the lefthander.

“And got one back on the course. It sort of gave me a bit of trouble last year.”

The 26-year-old from Brisbane has arrived here playing some of the best golf of his career, and is currently in fourth place on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit.

“It’s been a busy stretch for me. I mean, with the Aussie tour and everything like that. It’s been really good. My approach play has been really, really strong. And we found something with the putter, which has been nice.”

He lost in a play-off at the New South Wales Open last month and has enjoyed three other top three finishes.

He added: “I have been dealing with a bit of shoulder injury, my left shoulder. And I’ve actually had a bit of joint trouble through my hand. So, it’s been a bit of a whirlwind lately.”

Kosuke Hamamoto.

His fine form in Australia earned him an exemption into this week’s Final Stage, whereas Pearce came through a First Stage Qualifier, finishing 14^th in Section D earlier this month. The top 18 made it through so he is making the most of being here this week. He was bogey-free today, while Florimo dropped just one shot.

Said the Sydney-based golfer: “Very happy. Obviously, can’t win after day one, but it’s good to be at the top of the leaderboard. So pretty happy with the day.

“Nothing crazy today. I made a couple of good par saves. Sort of kept me in it. There was only one little hiccup, a three putt on five, a par five, for par. It’s sort of have a cliche, but just staying in the moment and trying my best to keep to my process. My game is trending in the right direction.”

Hamamoto is making only his second appearance at the Final Stage. He tied for 21^st in 2019 to secure his card and is here this week because of finishing 120^th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

His year was badly affected by having to miss three events in September due to an injury.

“I am very happy with that start. Wasn’t really expecting anything to be honest,” he said.

“I kind of had, like a weird accident and injured my knee during September. Just slipped. I just took a step down from aa footpath, and I slipped, and I teared my MCL, my left knee. Now it’s 100%.”

On returning to Qualifying School he added: “Definitely a new perspective, coming back slowly. I knew it’s gonna be a stressful week.

“Definitely thought I was going to be more stressful teeing off this morning, but I wasn’t too bad. Maybe just because I’m so tired. Just want to do my best on every shot, which doesn’t make me think too much.”

Two cuts will be made this week. The leading 140 players and ties after 36 holes will qualify for rounds three and four, with a further cut after 72 holes to the leading 70 players and ties, who will then play the final round.

Pictures by Jason Butler/Asian Tour.