January 24, 2015: Chikka made up for the disappointment of missing out on his Tour card by one shot last year by putting up a remarkable display in what was only his second attempt at the Qualifying School. The Indian survived a horrible 76 in the third round on the strength of his three other sub-70 scores, including a 68 on Sunday to earn a well-deserved ticket to the Asian Tour. Among other Indian youngsters Angad Cheema and Abhijit Singh Chadha finished inside the top-40 after the final round of the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage and thus earned their maiden Asian Tour cards. Himmat Singh Rai, a former winner on the Asian Tour, also regained his card after finishing inside the top-40.
“This means a lot to me. I really worked hard for this. It took me a year to come back again and finally get my Tour card,” said the 21 year old Chikka. “It has a tough week. Missing out last year was really emotional for me but it has made me a stronger person. My attitude in my game got better and I am really happy I made it.”
Overnight leader Daniel Chopra of Sweden, alongside highly talented players Chikka S of India, Lee Chieh-po of Chinese Taipei, Thai duo Phiphatphong Naewsuk and Danthai Boonma were among 47 players who earned an Asian Tour card at the Qualifying School Final Stage presented by Sports Authority of Thailand on Saturday.
Chopra, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour and one-time winner on the Asian Tour, outclassed the elite field by signing for a three-under-par 68 to win by four shots on 15-under-par 270 total at the Springfield Royal Golf Club.
Finland’s Kalle Samooja, a former member of the Asian Tour, returned with the day’s lowest round of 65 to take second place while Thailand’s Phiphatphong Naewsuk settled one shot back in third on 275 at the Qualifying School.
2011 Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit winner Jonathan Moore of the United States, Korea’s Kim Gi-whan, Canadian Lindsay Renolds and India’s Himmat Rai were also among those who finished inside top-40 and ties to secure their Asian Tour card for 2015.
Chopra, who fired six birdies against three bogeys, shrugged off the final round pressure and credited his experience for a remarkable performance this week.
“It feels really wonderful to be back on Tour. The course was really demanding off the tee. I was reminded of how focused I was when I tried to get my PGA Tour card a few years ago. That experience helped. I kept my rhythm nice and smooth and that gave me good confidence,” said the 41-year-old Swede.
“I am feeling more relieved now. It has been tough for me for the past few years. It’s good that I belonged somewhere again. I’ve learnt and crafted my game in Asia and it’s a place I would always call home. I can’t wait to start playing out here. Winning the Qualifying School makes me feel that I can win on Tour again,” added Chopra.
All the Qualifying School entrants will be eligible to compete on the burgeoning ADT, which was inaugurated in 2010 as a gateway to the premier Asian Tour. The secondary circuit staged a record total of 21 tournaments in the 2014 season.
With the Olympic Games looming in 2016 where golf will be reintroduced as a medal sport, players in the region could earn their spots in Rio de Janeiro by earning Official World Golf Ranking points through the Asian Tour and ADT.
Leading final round scores:
270 – Daniel CHOPRA (SWE) 68-67-67-68
274 – Kalle SAMOOJA (FIN) 71-70-68-65
275 – Phiphatphong NAEWSUK (THA) 71-69-68-67
276 – Chikka S (IND) 66-66-76-68
277 – Matthew Giles (AUS) 72-65-73-67, LEE Chieh-po (TPE) 67-69-72-69
278 – Akinori TANI (JPN) 67-68-74-69, Danthai BOONMA (THA) 65-71-72-70, Paul SPARGO (AUS) 65-69-70-74, John CATLIN (USA) 66-72-65-75
279 – Keith HORNE (RSA) 68-70-73-68
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- Abhijit Singh Chadha
- angad cheema
- chikkarangappa
