Aditya Bhandarkar leads DP World PGTI Qualifying School 2026-27 by two shots after round two
Synopsis
Pune's Aditya Bhandarkar, 37, climbed five places in a single round to seize a two-shot lead at the DP World PGTI Qualifying School 2026-27 in Ahmedabad. With Bangladesh's Siddikur Rahman and Indians Dey and Sirohi lurking two back, the race for 48 full tour cards over the final two rounds promises a tight finish.
Key Takeaways
Aditya Bhandarkar leads the DP World PGTI Qualifying School 2026-27 final stage at four-under 140 after two rounds at Kensville Golf & Country Club, Ahmedabad .
His second-round 69 featured five birdies and two bogeys , lifting him five places from overnight tied sixth.
Bangladesh's Md Siddikur Rahman , Joysurjo Dey , and Vedant Sirohi are tied second at two-under 142 , two shots behind.
The halfway cut fell at 12-over 156 ; 80 of 123 players advanced, including 11 amateurs and 8 foreign players .
The top 48 players after round four will receive full cards for the 2026-27 DP World PGTI season .
India's Aditya Bhandarkar surged to the top of the leaderboard at the DP World PGTI Qualifying School 2026-27 final qualifying stage on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, holding a two-shot lead at a cumulative four-under 140 after firing a second-round three-under 69 at the Kensville Golf & Country Club in Ahmedabad. The Pune-based golfer, who was tied sixth overnight, climbed five places up the standings to put himself firmly in contention for a full tour card.
Round Two Highlights
Bhandarkar's second-round scorecard of 69 — combined with his opening 71 — featured five birdies against two bogeys. He struck his wedges tight to the pin for a couple of tap-in birdies and also drained two long-range birdie putts, displaying the kind of clinical ball-striking and putting composure needed in the heat of Ahmedabad's afternoon conditions.
Speaking after his round, Bhandarkar said, 'I'm carrying forward the confidence and momentum from my good performance at the Pre-Qualifying event last week where I shot rounds of two-under and four-under to finish second. Today, I was quite calm through the round, stayed in the moment and handled the hot conditions in the afternoon really well by staying hydrated.'
The Chasing Pack
Overnight leader Md Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh, who opened with a 69, slipped back after carding a 73 in round two to fall into tied second at two-under 142. He is joined at that mark by Indian pair Joysurjo Dey (73-69) and Vedant Sirohi (71-71), both of whom recovered well to stay in contention. Bhandarkar's two-shot cushion heading into the back half of the tournament is meaningful, but the field remains tight enough to keep the outcome open.
Halfway Cut and Field Breakdown
The halfway cut fell at 12-over 156 from an original field of 123 players. A total of 80 players survived the cut, including 11 amateurs and 8 foreign players. The depth of the surviving field underscores the competitive nature of this qualifying event, which draws aspirants from across the subcontinent and beyond.
What a Full Card Means
Bhandarkar, aged 37, arrives at this stage carrying strong recent form — he finished second at the Pre-Qualifying event at Vooty last week, shooting rounds of two-under and four-under. At the conclusion of round four, the top 48 players will earn their full cards for the 2026-27 DP World PGTI season, making every stroke over the next two rounds consequential for careers on India's premier professional golf tour.
Point of View
Bhandarkar is chasing a full tour card with the urgency of someone who knows these opportunities do not come indefinitely — his composed second round, played in punishing afternoon heat, reflects experience more than youthful exuberance. The real story here is structural: PGTI qualifying school is the unglamorous engine of Indian professional golf, yet it rarely gets the coverage it deserves relative to its career-defining stakes. With 80 players still alive and only 48 cards on offer, the final two rounds will produce as much drama as any stroke-play finale on tour — just without the broadcast spotlight.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is leading the DP World PGTI Qualifying School 2026-27 after round two?
Aditya Bhandarkar of India leads at four-under 140 after rounds of 71 and 69 at Kensville Golf & Country Club in Ahmedabad. He holds a two-shot advantage over the trio in tied second place.
Who is in second place at the PGTI Qualifying School after round two?
Bangladesh's Md Siddikur Rahman and Indians Joysurjo Dey and Vedant Sirohi are all tied second at two-under 142. Rahman slipped from the overnight lead after carding a 73, while Dey and Sirohi recovered to join him.
How many players made the cut at the PGTI Qualifying School 2026-27?
Eighty players from an original field of 123 made the halfway cut, which fell at 12-over 156. The surviving group includes 11 amateurs and 8 foreign players.
How many full cards are on offer at the PGTI Qualifying School 2026-27?
The top 48 players at the end of round four will earn full cards for the 2026-27 DP World PGTI season, making the final two rounds critical for everyone still in contention.
What is Aditya Bhandarkar's recent form ahead of the qualifying school?
Bhandarkar, a 37-year-old from Pune, finished second at the Pre-Qualifying event at Vooty last week, shooting rounds of two-under and four-under. He cited that confidence as a key factor in his calm second-round performance in Ahmedabad.
