Ahmedabad: Patna-based amateur Aman Raj (74-74-74-72) won the PGTI’s Final Qualifying Stage for the 2016 season being held at Kensville Golf & Country Club near Ahmedabad. Aman Raj’s final round of even-par-72 meant he ended up with a tournament total of six-over-294 which helped him secure a comfortable four-stroke victory. Noida’s Raju Singh finished second at 10-over-298.

At the end of round four, the top 35 players earned their cards for the 2016 PGTI season.

Aman Raj, who started the final day, one off the lead in second position, was steady through the first five holes with pars. He then dropped a shot on the sixth but came roaring back with birdies on the ninth and 11th. The 20-year-old, who was India’s top amateur in 2015, made a brilliant chip-putt from 50 yards on the ninth before draining an eight-footer on the 11th.

Aman missed an up and down from the bunker for his second bogey of the day on the 17th. Nonetheless, the three-time winner on the amateur circuit last year, cruised to victory having posted the day’s best score of 72.

The Patna lad is now all set to turn professional in April after representing India at the 2016 Bonallack Trophy.

Aman said, “I’ve had a good week in Ahmedabad. But I know that I need to work harder and get better if I have to make an impression on the professional stage. I got the momentum going with the two birdies on the ninth and 11th today. That stretch helped me all but seal the title. I missed a couple of pars from 100 yards out but overall it was a steady performance. It’s great to start the year with a win at the Qualifying School.”

Raju Singh finished runner-up after a final round of 75.

Delhi’s Wasim Khan was third at 12-over-200 while Bengaluru’s Syed Saqib Ahmed finished a further shot back in fourth place.