New Delhi: By way of statistics alone, Shubhankar Sharma has had a fairly constant 2024 the place he made the minimize 21 instances in 26 begins and had two top-10 finishes in Europe’s DP World Tour. However for somebody who has been plying his commerce in Europe commonly for the previous six years, making the minimize is not a comfort.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA: Shubhankar Sharma of India pictured on Wednesday December 4, 2024 throughout Spherical One of many PIF Saudi Worldwide powered by SoftBank Funding Advisers on the Riyadh Golf Membership, Saudi Arabia. The US$5 million Asian Tour occasion, a part of the Worldwide Collection, is staged from December 4-7, 2024. Image by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“It’s been a consistent season but it’s high time I won on the tour. It’s truly been a while,” Sharma, 28, whose two wins on the European tour got here within the span of two months in 2017-18, admitted.
At the moment within the UAE for the DP World Tour’s Ras Al Khaimah Championship that begins on Thursday, Shubhankar may have a chance so as to add to his 10 skilled wins throughout excursions when he traces up alongside a robust discipline led by Bryson DeChambeau on the $2 million Worldwide Collection occasion at Gurugram’s DLF Golf and Nation Membership subsequent week.
Shubhankar, who grew up on the daunting course, feels the Worldwide Collection’ debut will give a serious fillip to golf in India.
“There was a time back in the day when we used to have 3-4 good international events in India, but over the past few years, there’s only been the Hero Indian Open. I am really happy that we have another star-studded field and we have such an event on a world-class course like DLF. It means a lot, not only to the fans but us players also who want Indian golf to grow and showcase it to the world. And there’s no better way than actually hosting an event of this stature,” he stated.
With the likes of big-hitting DeChambeau and Chile’s Worldwide Collection Rankings winner Joaquin Niemann amongst 15 LIV tour stars in attendance, Shubhankar is not going to have it simple. His begin to the 12 months has been patchy, failing to make the minimize finally week’s Hero Dubai Desert Basic barely inspiring confidence.
Add to it the intimidating DLF course that was criticised after it performed unusually onerous and quick in the course of the Hero Girls’s Indian Open final October, and the native boy may have his job minimize out.
“I don’t think I played too bad last year,” Shubhankar stated. “I was making mistakes in the middle of the tournament which caused me to lose momentum. I was able to bounce back every time, which was nice to see. I would have liked some consistency though.”
In that pursuit, Shubhankar flew right down to hometown Chandigarh on the finish of the season and labored on his swing along with his coach Jesse Grewal.
“I worked to achieve consistency through the impact area when I’m hitting the ball. I also hit the gym to work on my overall endurance,” Shubhankar, who will attempt his new irons in Ras Al Khaimah, stated.
Whereas the sport is more and more leaning in the direction of heavy hitters with the likes of DeChambeau persistently pushing the restrict, Shubhankar feels there’s nonetheless room for tactical play. The DLF course, he insists, calls for a strong technique.
“DLF is not a golf course that gives too much advantage to big hitters. There, it’s more about actually strategising and being really good with your irons. So, it plays into the hands of a lot of Indian players as well, who are not huge hitters. You need to have a good day with the irons and the putter and it can still be anyone’s game. It’s not a bomber’s course.”
That understanding of the course together with a bunch of completely happy reminiscences are holding Shubhankar in a cheerful area as he tunes up for homecoming.
“I remember, when I was a kid I used to walk into DLF at the Johnnie Walker Classic and watch Vijay Singh, Adam Scott, Miguel Angel Jimenez in action. The field next week reminds me of those good old days when I used to walk with all these big players,” he stated. “I’d like to add to those memories with a solid finish at home. I want to win Majors, finish in the top-10s on the Race To Dubai, and take Indian golf forward.”