American golfer Hack tops Pre-Q III as 26 complete Final Stage field

Jhared Hack of USA on his way to first place in Pre Qualifying III of PGTI’s 2026 Q School at Kensville course near Ahmedabad on Saturday. Image courtesy of PGTI.

By Rahul Banerji

Jhared Hack took top honors by a three-shot margin during Pre-Qualifying III of the PGTI Qualifying School at the Kensville Golf & Country Club near Ahmedabad on Saturday.

The American golfer shot a flawless 4-under-par 68 in the second round and followed up his opening 70 to top the final preliminary phase of the 2026 Q School, the PGTI said.

The 36-year-old Hack (70-68), a Las Vegas native on his first trip to India, finished 6-under 138 overall as the top 26 from a starting field of 132 advanced to the Final Stage.

The reduction was declared at 5 above 149.

Hack, who previously played on the Korn Ferry Tour, Canadian Tour and the PGA Tour Latinoamerica, had a lone birdie on the front nine.

He then made a late surge with three birdies over the final four holes, including a 40-foot conversion on the 18.

Valuable practice

“When I came here from the US, I managed to acclimatize well before the start of the Pre-Q event with some valuable practice at another golf course in Ahmedabad,” Hack said.

“I was fortunate to be hosted at his home by Ahmedabad-based professional Jay Pandya.

“So I was quite relaxed at the start of the event and it clearly showed with my great front nine on day one.

“However, I got into trouble after going out of bounds a few times on my second nine.

“But I managed to make a few birdies along that stretch to stay in contention. I was a little nervous at first in the second round. But I chipped and putted well today to come through in the end.”

The Pre Q III rankings had a strong international flavor as Japan’s Taiga Tanaka (71-70) finished second at 3-under 141.

Canadian Sukhraj Singh Gill finished third at 2-under 142 and Malaysian Muhammad Nafis Najmie Bin Darnalis was fourth at 143.

Top Indian

Amateur Samarpratap Singh Sandhu finished as the best-placed Indian in fifth place at the par 144 level.

A total of 91 competitors entered the three pre-qualifying events and the final stage will see 42 players join, making a total field of 133 for the final four days in Kensville from next Tuesday.

On Friday, Malaysian Bin Darnalis shot a 4-under 68 for the first-round lead, ahead of Anirudh Kamireddypalli (69), while Hack shared third place with Pranav Kaul.

Speaking on his first trip to India, 25-year-old Nafis said: “I am very excited to be here.

“I recently turned professional and discovered the PGTI through the internet and felt it would be a great platform for me to start my professional journey.”

Also read: Karayat wins Pre-Q II by a wide margin, 38 more in Final Stage

Related