India's Shaurya Bhattacharya leads the field heading into the decisive final round of the Asian Tour Qualifying School, holding a one-shot advantage after a strong performance.
Bhattacharya fired a five-under 66 on the A&B course at Lake View Resort & Golf Club, reaching 16-under overall. This positions him perfectly to claim one of the 35 available cards for next season. Japan's Tomohiro Ishizaka, yesterday's leader, sits second after matching that 66, while Mexico's Roberto Lebrija lurks one stroke back in third with a 68, also on A&B.
Bhattacharya posted six birdies against a single bogey in a composed display. The 22-year-old from Delhi seeks his first Asian Tour card after limited prior appearances. He competes on India's Professional Golf Tour, where he's claimed three victories, two this season alone.
His amateur credentials shine too—India's No. 2 in 2023, plus reps at the 2023 Eisenhower Trophy and 2022 Nomura Cup—hinting at a rising star.
Ishizaka's Steady Chase
“It felt solid,” Bhattacharya said. “I'm striking the ball well, handling the wind nicely, and sticking to my process. I've played eight straight weeks, so recovery is key—good eats and stretching.”
Ishizaka, a Japan Golf Tour player with scant prior spotlight, began the day leading by one. A friend of recent Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Kazuki Higa—who urged him to compete here—he holds a Japanese tour card but eyes this next challenge.
“I delayed last year to lock in my Japan status,” said Ishizaka, who ended 39th on this year's Japan money list. “The course felt different today; I sank putts but missed birdie looks. My game's steadier now, and I'm pumped for tomorrow.”
Lebrija's Near-Miss
Lebrija could have shared the lead, undone by a double bogey on the par-3 12th after entering the water. “It was a grind,” he noted. “Birdied 11, then disaster on 12—pants soaked from the drop. Recovered with a birdie on 14, even par on the back nine.”
The front nine sparked: birdies on 1, 2, nearly 3 and 4, plus a two-footer for eagle on 5 that he missed after a long wait, settling for birdie. A bogey on 8 followed, but he called it decent.
“Tomorrow, solid play secures my card, but I'm chasing the win. I've handled C&D well before—stick to strategy, and it'll click, even if it's tricky.”
Canadian Henry Lee (67) occupies fourth, three back, with China's Lin Yuxin (67) fifth, four off the pace. The 72-hole cut fell at two-under, advancing 71 players to Monday's C&D finale.