Dubai-born sensation Rayhan Thomas moved a step closer to securing playing privileges on the PGA Tour Americas after an impressive third round 66 at the Tour’s Qualifying School.
The 24-year-old, who only turned professional last week, carded nine birdies and hit 17 Greens in Regulation as he surged up the leaderboard to move into contention for one of the nine exemptions available for the upcoming North America Swing on the PGA Tour Americas.
The Indian is currently in a share of 13th after rounds of 71, 70 and 66 at Soboba Springs Golf Club, leaving him just one stroke outside the top nine and three strokes off the lead.
“This year my game has been on track and I’m excited about what is ahead of me,” said Thomas, who also had a bogey and double bogey in his third round.
“For my final round, I have to be aggressive, continue to attack the golf course and shoot low – it is very competitive out here and there is no room for safe golf.”
Should Thomas earn status for the PGA Tour Americas, he will have to chance to qualify for next season’s Korn Ferry Tour, the feeder circuit to the PGA Tour, with the top ten golfers on the season-long Fortinet Cup receiving full status.
The top two finishers from the Latin America Swing and the top three finishers from the North American Swing, if they finish outside the top ten of the Fortinet Cup, will have conditional membership on the Korn Ferry Tour.
The fourth and final round of qualifying gets underway later today, with Thomas teeing off at 12.38 local time.
