Ajeetesh Sandhu was the top-Indian in Taiwan at T-27
With the Asian Tour reaching its penultimate week, several leading Indian players were in action at the US$400,000 Taifong Open in Changhua, Taiwan in a bid to finish in the top 65 and earn full playing rights for the 2024 season.
35-year-old, Ajeetesh Sandhu of Chandigarh, a past winner on the Asian Tour and Japan Challenge Tour, carded rounds of 72-70-70-70 to register a tied-27th finish at a total score of 6-under 282 at the US$ 400,000.
In 2023, Sandhu has played in 15 events, made cuts in 8, with a best-finish, a tied-8th coming at the St. Andrews Bay Championship in August.
As of now, Sandhu stands 67th with 316.20 points on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit, and needs a good finish in next week’s season ending event to finish inside the top-60 and retain his full playing rights in 2024.
S.S.P. Chawrasia, who has 4 wins in Europe tied-30th at 5-under 283.
Honey Baisoya, was 32nd at 4-under 284.
Veer Ahlawat and left-hander Kartik Sharma both ended up missing the cut.
Ahlawat carded 73-72 to miss the cut by one shot, whereas Sharma carded 72-74 to miss the cut by two shots in Taiwan. Ahlawat stands 59th and Sharma 192nd on the tour’s Order of Merit.
The last chance to pick up enough points to retain playing rights for 2024 will come at the final event of the season, the US$ 1mn Saudi Open from Dec. 14-17 at Riyadh Golf Club, Saudi Arabia.
Photo – Asian Tour