China’s Lin Yuxin delivered a statement performance at the Final Stage of the Asian Tour Qualifying School, finishing number one in class after five demanding rounds at Hua Hin, Thailand. The two-time Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship champion led a group of 35 players who earned full playing rights for the 2026 season.
The 23-year-old left-hander closed with a composed four-under-par 67 on the final day to post a tournament total of 16-under, edging India’s Shaurya Bhattacharya by a single shot. The decisive moment came at the par-four 18th, where Lin held his nerve to make par while Bhattacharya, playing in the final group, dropped a bogey.
Bhattacharya signed for a 72 to finish second, while Canada’s Henry Lee took third place on 14-under after a closing 70, despite a costly double bogey on the final hole. Mexico’s Roberto Lebrija finished fourth, and Australia’s Will Florimo rounded out the top five. The final round was contested on the C&D Course at Lake View Resort & Golf Club.
For Lin, the victory represents a major milestone in his professional journey. A standout amateur who won the Asia-Pacific Amateur titles in 2017 and 2019 and later played collegiate golf at the University of Florida, he turned professional in 2023. Competing primarily on the PGA Tour Americas and select Korn Ferry Tour events, Lin acknowledged that putting the mental side had previously held him back. This week, however, there were no such issues, as he posted rounds of 68, 67, 70, 67 and 67.
India’s Bhattacharya, who began the final round with a one-shot lead, remained in contention throughout but was undone by bogeys on holes 12, 13 and 18. Despite narrowly missing out on the top spot, it marked a strong showing for the 22-year-old, currently third on the Professional Golf Tour of India Order of Merit with two wins this season.
Several established names also advanced safely, including South African Justin Harding, Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat, Indonesia’s Naraajie Ramadhanputra, American Berry Henson, and India’s Rashid Khan and Ajeetesh Sandhu. Players from Chinese Taipei, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia were also among the qualifiers, underscoring the depth of the field.
The final card positions delivered trademark drama. Twelve players finished tied on five under and entered a sudden-death play-off for the last eight spots. The play-off stretched to five holes, with India’s Shubham Jaglan claiming the final card at the expense of Macau’s Kelvin Si. Japan’s Tomohiro Ishizaka, who began the day in second but stumbled to an 81, survived the extra holes to secure his status.
In the end, Lin Yuxin’s calm under pressure set him apart. Finishing top of the Final Stage not only earned him full Asian Tour status for 2026, but also signaled that one of Asia’s most highly rated talents is ready to take the next step on the professional stage.
About Asian Tour
The Asian Tour is celebrated as the most vibrant, youthful and diverse golf tour in the world. It has built a reputation for intense competition on the course and warm camaraderie off it.
The Tour, which was launched in 2004, is responsible for looking after the best interests of over 350 members, representing 35 countries managing a year-long schedule of events across five continents.
Since 2022, The International Series has featured prominently. Consisting of 10 upper-tier events integrated into the schedule, the landmark initiative provides a pathway to the LIV Golf League via The International Series Rankings.
The Tour is the official sanctioning body for professional golf in the region and a member of the International Federation of PGA Tours. It is an affiliate of The R&A and all sanctioned events qualify for Official World Golf Ranking points.
It controls its television production and distribution through Asian Tour Media (a joint venture with IMG) which broadcasts to over 100 countries worldwide.
Rolex, Kweichow Moutai and Bluewater are the Tour’s three main partners.
The Tour also operates the Asian Development Tour, the popular feeder circuit that nurtures the next generation of stars.
In 2018, it set up Asian Tour Destinations – an affiliate network with exclusive, world-class golfing venues across the region.
The Tour is headquartered on Sentosa Island in Singapore, home to the award-winning Sentosa Golf Club, a member of Asian Tour Destinations.
