Burmese youngster Sithu keeps Tour card dreams alive at Qualifying School

Hua Hin, Thailand, February 22: Teenager Hein Sithu of Myanmar put himself on the verge of securing his 2020 Asian Tour card after signing for a two-under-par 69 to move into the top-five following the fourth and penultimate round of the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage on Saturday.

The 19-year-old Burmese, who missed out on making the final round in his first attempt last year, fired four birdies to turn in 32 before closing with two dropped shots on the C&D course to tied in fifth place on 10-under-par 274 total at the Lake View Resort and Golf Club.

Sithu sits four shots back of Zimbabwean Benjamin Follet-Smith, who extended his overnight lead to two after making a late comeback with three birdies in his closing five holes to sign for a battling 70 on the A&B course.

Sweden’s Malcolm Kokocinski kept up his hopes of reclaiming his Asian Tour card after carding a second 66 on the A&B course this week to grab a share of second place with countryman Bjorn Hellgren, who marked the lowest round of the day with a 64 on the same course.

South African Neil Schietekat, a three-time winner on the Sunshine Tour, slipped to fourth place following a 72 on Course A&B but remained well in position to secure his 2020 Asian Tour card in what is his maiden attempt at the Qualifying School.

The 72-hole cut was set at three-under-par 281 with a total of 71 players, who finished inside top-70 and ties, progressing into the fifth and final round. The leading 35 players and ties following the conclusion of 90 holes on Sunday will be ranked accordingly for the 2020 season.

The first four rounds of the 90-hole battle were held across Courses A&B and C&D at the Lake View Resort and Golf Club. The final round will be held only on the A&B course on Sunday.