India's Shubham Jaglan, a professional golfer for under six months, grabbed the second-round lead at the Asian Tour Qualifying School's Final Stage, positioning himself for a full 2026 schedule on the tour.
The 21-year-old from New Delhi, who turned pro in July after leaving the University of South Florida, fired a 66—five under par—on the C&D nines at Lake View Resort & Golf Club to reach nine under overall and take the top spot.
Liu Yung-hua from Chinese-Taipei sits one shot back in second after a 69 on the same course, matched by Canada's Henry Hyoun Ho Lee, who posted a 65 on the A&B layout.
Australian Will Florimo, who co-led after the first round, slipped into a large third-place group at eight under with a 71. He dominated much of the day on A&B, going out in three under to hit 11 under, but stumbled with a bogey on 16 and a double on 18.
Florimo ties for third with Thailand's Itthipat Buranatanyarat (65), amateur Korean Minchan Kim (66), Inhoi Hur (67), China's Lin Yuxin (67), and Mexico's Roberto Lebrija (69). Fellow Aussie Michael Pearce, the other opening co-leader, shot 72 and lurks one more back.
Jaglan followed his opening 67 with another strong showing, staying bogey-free on the front nine with birdies at three, seven, and eight. He added one at 12, dropped a shot on 14, then birdied 15 and 17 to surge ahead.
"I've been putting lights out," Jaglan said. "We've tracked over 100 feet of putts both days—way above the tour average of 70-80. The course played tougher on CD today, but I stayed in the moment, one shot at a time, and read my lines better without getting frustrated."
His pro debut came in July with a made cut at the PGA Tour Americas' Bromont Open in Canada, followed by a playoff loss for second at India's Professional Golf Tour Trident Open last month.
Liu earned his Asian Tour card via a top-10 ADT finish, highlighted by a 2024 win, but struggled this year with 11 missed cuts in 16 events. "Tee shots were off, but I prioritized greens in regulation and nailed it," he noted.
Florimo, riding a strong Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia season (fourth on their Order of Merit after yesterday's 64), reflected positively: "If you'd said seven under after two rounds, I'd take it. Golf swings falter in Q-School; a bad break on 18 hurt, but three rounds remain."
A cut after two rounds advanced the top 140 and ties (144 players at three-over or better). The top 70 and ties after 72 holes play Sunday's finale.