Korean golf veteran Kyungnam Kang and Indian star Ajeetesh Sandhu have taken an early share of the lead at the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage, carding brilliant eight-under-par 63s on the A and B nines at the Lake View Resort and Golf Club in Thailand.

Trailing closely is Filipino rookie Sean Ramos, who shot a solid 64 to secure solo third place, while a group of five players, including Argentina’s Miguel Carballo and Austria’s Niklas Regner, are tied at fourth with 65s.

The competition is fierce as over 200 players battle for just 35 coveted spots on the 2025 Asian Tour, with the stakes already rising after the first round.

Kyungnam Kang’s Spectacular Start

Kang, a seasoned 41-year-old with 11 victories on the Korean Tour, played a near-flawless round highlighted by a spectacular eagle on the par-four 18th, where he holed his second shot. Adding six birdies to his scorecard, Kang showcased the skills and confidence that come from two decades of professional experience.

“Everything felt good. All parts of my game worked together. And I got a bit lucky on the last,” Kang said.

Having been a consistent contender in the 2024 Asian Tour events held in Korea, including a joint third-place finish in the Kolon Korea Open, Kang now seeks to secure his Asian Tour card for a fresh start in 2025.

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Ajeetesh Sandhu: On a Mission

Sandhu, fresh off a victory at the Vishwa Samudra Open 2024 in India, carried his winning momentum into this week. The 38-year-old had a sizzling start with birdies on the first three holes and capped off the front nine at six-under. Despite a single bogey on the 10th, Sandhu added three more birdies to finish tied at the top.

“After a challenging year, I’m determined to bounce back and prove my place on the Asian Tour,” Sandhu said.

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Ramos Impresses as Rookie Professional

At just 20 years old, Filipino rising star Sean Ramos proved he’s ready to compete with the best, thanks to two eagles on par fives and a string of birdies. His 64 puts him firmly in the hunt for one of the coveted Tour cards.

“The eagles really boosted my confidence today. I’m looking forward to building on this round,” Ramos shared.

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Other Notable Performances

Australian Jack Thompson, who won the Qualifying School at Lake View two years ago, started strong with a 65, while American Zach Murray and Japan’s Taiki Yoshida carded 66s to stay within striking distance.

The field also includes prominent names like:

• Berry Henson (68), a former Asian Tour winner.
• Siddikur Rahman (68), Bangladesh’s most successful golfer.
• Paul Dunne (68), the Irish star who famously led the Open Championship as an amateur.

With four rounds remaining and cuts after rounds two and four, the pressure is mounting as players vie for a chance to compete on the prestigious Asian Tour in 2025.