Shubhankar all set to live long-held Open dream

Carnoustie (Scotland), July 17 

India’s rising star Shubhankar Sharma will be over the moon when when he makes a debut at The Open this Thursday. The 21-year-old Sharma had won the Joburg Open last December to earn a spot in the year’s third Major championship. “That victory will stay with me for the rest of my life. It was my first win and I was literally playing alone in South Africa. I will always remember the love and warmth I got from the local fans that week and, of course, the avenues it has opened up for me,” said Sharma, who was the only Indian in the 240-man field at the Joburg Open. 

“Playing in The Open was my only dream when I started playing golf. I’ve watched all the past editions on television,” said Sharma.

After his maiden win in South Africa, he went on to secure a second Asian Tour title at the lucrative Maybank Championship in Malaysia two months later. And then he claimed a top-10 finish in his World Golf Championships debut in Mexico in March, which earned him an invitation to The Masters. “Playing in the Masters has been an out-of-the-world experience and the circumstances under which I got there made it all the more beautiful. Qualifying for the US Open was also great, as I earned that by getting through the qualifier,” he said. “Both these experiences have been unique and enriching. I am extremely lucky that I am getting all these opportunities early in life.”

Despite not making the cuts in his last two attempts at a Major championship, Sharma remains positive as he prepares for his third Major appearance. “My game is alright at the moment. There are always small issues here and there in golf. Apart from that, I am good for the week and I am hoping to give a good account of myself out there,” said the highest-ranked Indian golfer. — PTI