Aussie-Indian Bhasin makes the grade at Asian Tour Q-School
By IANSSunday, January 17, 2010
NEW DELHI - Kunal Bhasin, an Australian of Indian origin, who has once again made India his home for the past three years, earned full playing rights for the 2010 Asian Tour Saturday.
Bhasin, who was settled in Queensland, before making his way to Mumbai three years ago to play on the PGTI Tour, finished tied 11th at the 2010 Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage held at Hua Hin in Thailand. The top-40 and ties qualify for a full card.
Two other Indian professionals Gurbaaz Mann and Ashok Kumar failed to qualify as they finished outside the top-40. While Mann was tied 74th with a total of 289, Ashok finished tied 92nd at 292.
Bhasin fired scores of 68, 71, 68, 72 to end up with a total of 279 in Hua Hin. The overall winner in Hua Hin was Artemio Murakami of the Philippines, who was four shots better than Bhasin.
Two months ago, in November 2009, Bhasin won his first-ever professional title at the Aircel-PGTIs Crompton Greaves Open.
Bhasin, seventh on the Aircel-PGTI Order of Merit for 2009, has been based in Mumbai for the last three years and has been playing at BPGC and then Willingdon Sports Club for the last 18 months.
