KOLKATA: Viraj Madappa on Thursday topped the field in the two-day qualifier at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club for next week’s lucrative Saudi International.

The Kolkata professional overcame some front nine nerves with a solid 4-under 68 to follow his opening day’s 66 to finish at the head of the 42-strong field on 10-under 134.

South Africa’s Dubai-based pro-Mathiam Keyser took the second and final slot available for professionals with a two-day aggregate of 6-under 138 (70-68).

Madappa had a rocky outbound nine that saw him sandwich an eagle 3 between two dropped shots from hole 6 till the turn.

A composed back nine, however, sealed the Tollygunj Club golfer’s berth at the $5 million Saudi International with four birdies that took him four shots clear of the South African.

Both qualifying spots, appropriately enough, were taken by Asian Tour members considering the February 3 to 6 at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club near Jeddah is the Tour’s season-opener.

A further two places went to Arab national amateurs for the event that will be headlined by defending champion and former world no. 1 Dustin Johnson of the United States.

SHUBHANKAR STRUGGLES

Meanwhile, at the DP World Tour’s season-opening Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic, Shubhankar Sharma was in tied 58th place on level par 72 at the Emirates Golf Club after Thursday’s first round.

Denmark’s Joachim B. Hansen led the way with a 7-under 65, one ahead of South African Justin Harding and two up on a chasing pack that included Sergio Garcia and Tommy Fleetwood.

In Abu Dbahi, Khalin Joshi, the only other entrant from India had a difficult day to finish down the order on 2-over 146 (70-76) after being tied for sixth overnight.

He however still made it to the main draw along with fellow-Bangalorean Chikkarangappa S., who was number one on the waitlist, Dubai-based golf writer Joy Chakravarty tweeted.

They join Rashid Khan, Veer Ahlawat and Shiv Kapur who were already in the main draw on the basis of their top-30 placing on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit.

QUALITY FIELD

The PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers will feature the strongest field ever assembled for an Asian Tour event.

The $5 million tournament will see world top-10 members Bryson DeChambeau, and Olympic champion Xander Schauffele join Johnson next week.

Phil Mickelson of the US, Spain’s Garcia, and England’s Lee Westwood, Paul Casey, Fleetwood, and Ian Poulter, are other big draws.

Organisers said Americans Patrick Reed, Matthew Wolff and Tony Finau besides Cameron Smith, recent winner of the Sentry ToC in Hawaii and Marc Leishmann of Australia had been roped in as well.

“The tournament will give our members an incredible opportunity to play with many of the game’s global stars,” noted Asian Tour chief executive and commissioner Cho Minh Thant.

“This is one of the biggest events in the history of the Asian Tour.”

(RAHUL BANERJI)