Golfers Chikka, Shubhankar earn Asian Tour cards

Hua Hin (Thailand), Jan 16: Indian golfers S. Chikka and Shubhankar Sharma earned their Asian Tour cards for this year after they finished tied 11th and joint 25th after the fourth and final round of the qualifying stage here on Saturday.

Chikka, who was tied first after the first thee rounds, carded two-over 73 for a four-day total of eight-under 276 (67-74-72-73), while Shubhankar took his total to four-under 280 following a 72 at the par-71 Springfield Royal Country Club, where the top-40 and ties earned Asian Tour card for 2016.

Among other Indians in the fray, Honey Baisoya (67) and Manu Gandas shared the 49th spot on 283 total. Rahul Bajaj was tied 59th on 284 total.