Jamshedpur: American golfer Thomas McLendon carded a six-under 65 in the second round to end up with a total of nine-under 133 that helped him emerge victorious by two shots at Pre-Qualifying II of the TATA Steel PGTI Qualifying School 2024 being played at the Golmuri Golf Course in Jamshedpur.
From a total field of 103 in Pre-Qualifying II, the top 19 players qualified for the Final Qualifying Stage as the cut was declared at one-under 141.
Thirty-one-year-old Thomas McLendon (68-65), lying overnight tied fourth and three off the lead, produced seven birdies and a bogey on Wednesday to finish on top of the pack.
McLendon, a 10th tee starter, began the day with a flourish as he birdied three of his first four holes. The San Francisco-based Thomas, making his second trip to India, then picked up four more birdies including three on the trot on the front-nine at the expense of a lone bogey.
McLendon, who has been playing on the ADT and the All Thailand Tour over the last couple of years, said, “I got my putter going on both days. I also kept hitting it close to the pin. I drove it to the fringe of the green on two occasions today that set up birdies for me. However, my best shot of the day was the approach from 170 yards on the third that landed two feet from the flag and resulted in another birdie.
“I would like to thank my good friend and Indian professional golfer Samarth Dwivedi for encouraging me to play at the PGTI Q School when we were both playing on the ADT last year. This performance has given me loads of confidence which I will look to carry forward into the Final Stage.”
Delhi’s Rohit Baisoya (67-68) and Chandigarh’s Rajiv Kumar Jatiwal (68-67) finished tied second at totals of seven-under 135.
Italy’s Michele Ortolani, the round one leader, claimed fourth place at six-under 136 following his second round of 71.
