Ram Pal shot a four-under 68 to secure the lead in the first round of the PGTI Qualifying School 2026 at Ahmedabad’s Kensville Golf & Country Club. Following closely behind are six golfers tied for second place with scores of 70, including American Jhared Hack and Indian players Dhruv Suri, Jujhar Singh, Joysurjo Dey, Manav Bais, and amateur Pritish Singh Karayat.
In his opening round, 46-year-old Ram Pal, hailing from Chandigarh, impressed with an eagle, four birdies, and two bogeys. His stellar performance included sinking birdie putts from 15 to 25 feet and precise approach shots that set up short birdie opportunities. Ram Pal expressed confidence after his strong start, attributing his recovery from injury and strategic planning for his success.
The top 80 players and ties will advance after the second round of the Final Qualifying Stage, with the top 47 players securing full cards for the 2026 PGTI season after round four. The Qualifying School, a crucial event marking the start of the PGTI season, serves as the primary qualification route for players aiming to compete in the season.
This year’s Qualifying School attracted over 450 golfers, including 39 international participants, with 77 players from the First Stage progressing to the Final Stage. The Final Stage, offering a prize purse of INR 10 lakh, will determine the top qualifiers who will earn full cards for the upcoming PGTI season.
