Jamshedpur, 07-02-2025

Playoff to decide winner of TATA Steel PGTI Qualifying School 2025 to continue on Saturday; Anant Singh Ahlawat and Subham Narain in a deadlock after two extra holes

Thirty-three players earn full cards for 2025 season

Delhi’s Shubham Narain and Panchkula-based amateur Anant Singh Ahlawat were in a deadlock after two extra holes of the playoff when play was suspended due to fading light on the fourth and last day of the Final Qualifying Stage of the TATA Steel PGTI Qualifying School 2025 being held at the Golmuri Golf Course in Jamshedpur.

Shubham Narain (71-64-67-66) and Anant Singh Ahlawat (67-64-67-70) went into a playoff after they were tied at the top at totals of 16-under 268 at the end of the regulation 72 holes. Both players then made pars on the first two playoff holes. As there was near darkness after the second playoff hole, play was called off. It was then announced that the playoff would resume at 7 am on Saturday.

The cut in the final round went at three-under 281 with the top 33 players earning their full cards for the 2025 TATA Steel PGTI season.

The top 33 included five amateurs. There were also six foreigners (three from Bangladesh and one each from the USA, South Korea and Italy) among the 33 players who earned their full cards.

Twenty-seven-year-old Shubham Narain, who was overnight tied fifth and four off the lead, zoomed up the leaderboard with a brilliant five-under 66 on Friday that was punctuated by seven birdies and two bogeys. Shubham sank three birdie putts from a range of 10 to 15 feet and got into the playoff with a great bunker shot that led to a birdie on the 18th.

Shubham said, “I had a rough start to the week being three-over after 11 holes but turned it around really nicely after that. I’ve made some changes in my approach after learning from the mistakes I made in the last two seasons. I’m delighted to earn a full card after four years so I will go into the playoff tomorrow with a relaxed mind and that should help me put my best foot forward.”

Anant Singh Ahlawat, the overnight leader by two shots, produced a 70 in round four that featured five birdies and four bogeys. The 28-year-old came up with some great iron shots but had an up and down day.

Anant said, “I started really well but then hit a few rough patches in the middle. However, I will resume tomorrow with the comfort of knowing that I have sealed my full card. I will tee it up with the good memories of having won twice at Golmuri in the past.”

Delhi-based Ankur Chadha (71) took third place at 13-under 271.

American rookie Koichiro Sato was the best finisher among the foreign players as he ended the week in tied ninth position at 10-under 274.