Chikka, Himmat earn Asian Tour cards

Hua Hin, Jan 24: Indian golfer S. Chikka and Himmat Rai were among 47 players to earn an Asian Tour card at the Qualifying School fil stage presented by Sports Authority of Thailand here on Saturday.

Chikka made up for the disappointment of missing out on his Tour card by one shot last year by putting up a remarkable display in what was only his second attempt at the Qualifying School. He finished fourth with a total of nine–under 276.

"This means a lot to me. I really worked hard for this. It took me a year to come back again and filly get my Tour card. It was a tough week," the 21–year–old said.

"Missing out last year was really emotiol for me but it has made me a stronger person. My attitude in my game got better and I am really happy I made it."

Himmat Rai finished joint 12th after scoring a total of five–under 280.

Overnight leader Daniel Chopra alongside Lee Chieh–po of Chinese Taipei, Thai duo Phiphatphong ewsuk and Danthai Boonma also earned their cards for the impending season.

Chopra, a two–time winner on the Professiol Golfers Association (PGA) Tour and one–time winner on the Asian Tour, outclassed the elite field by signing for a three–under par 68 to win by four shots on 15–under par 270 total at the par–71 Springfield Royal Golf Club.

Finland’s Kalle Samooja, a former member of the Asian Tour, returned with the day’s lowest round of 65 to take second place while Thailand’s Phiphatphong ewsuk settled one shot back in third on 275 at the Qualifying School.

2011 Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit winner Jothan Moore of the United States, Korea’s Kim Gi–whan, Cadian Lindsay Renolds and Rai were also among those who finished inside top–40 and ties to secure their Asian Tour card for 2015. IANS