Matias Dominguez wins Pre-qualifying III

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Chandigarh, February 3

Chile’s Matias Dominguez created history with his sensational second round of 12-under 59 at Pre-Qualifying III of the PGTI Qualifying School 2024 being held at the Golmuri Golf Course in Jamshedpur.

Thirtyone-year-old Matias Dominguez (68-59) won Pre-Q III with a handsome six-stroke margin after he totalled 15-under 127 as a result of his 59 on Saturday.

Even though Preferred Lie was in application during Pre-Q III, Matias’ round of 59 featuring an eagle and 10 birdies was a landmark moment in PGTI history as it happened to be the lowest number ever recorded on the tour.

The only previous instance of a 12-under score on the PGTI is Anirban Lahiri’s 12-under 60 shot at the BILT Open 2011 held at Jaypee Greens in Greater Noida.

From a total field of 132 in Pre-Qualifying III, the top 30 players advanced to the final qualifying stage as the cut was declared at one-over 143.

Santiago-based Matias Dominguez, placed tied fifth and two off the lead after round one, holed his bunker shot for a birdie on the third hole to set the ball rolling on day two. Dominguez, who has been a regular on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica in recent times, accumulated birdies on the next three holes to make it four birdies in a row, thanks to his outstanding tee shots.

Matias, making his first trip to India, gained further momentum with his chip-in from 15 yards for eagle on the par-5 ninth. He had a stroke of luck on the ninth as his tee shot found the trees but rebounded and bounced back on the fairway.

After being six-under at the turn, a combination of excellent tee shots, approach shots and wedge-play saw Dominguez add six more birdies to his card on the back-nine as he registered the magical number of 59.

Czechia’s Stepan Danek (67-66) took the runner-up spot at nine-under 133 following his second round of five-under 66.

Nepal’s Niraj Tamang (68-66), too, fired a last round of 66 to finish third at eight-under 134.

Amateur Rachit Mankoti made a hole-in-one on the 14th during his round of 73. However, he missed the cut for the final stage as he totalled four-over 146.

A total of 71 players progressed from the Pre-Qualifying Stage. They will join another 54 players in the Final Stage where the total field will consist of 125 players. The Final Stage will be held from February 6-9 at the same venue, Golmuri Golf Course in Jamshedpur.