He has been the discreet motivator, who has always stayed behind the scenes. And when his son Shubhankar Sharma captured the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings title after a revolutionary year of achievements, Col Mohan Sharma couldn’t hold his delight back. No wonder, he has plenty to feel proud about his son’s achievements.

 

 

 

 

                                         The proud father and son: Col Mohan Sharma and Shubhankar

 

 

“I didn’t visualize that it would be such a great year for Shubhankar. It feels nice, I felt great. He achieved something for which had worked diligently. His perseverance and discipline have definitely paid off,” said the proud father.

 

 

India's Shubhankar Sharma has captured the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings title after a groundbreaking year of achievements.

 

 

After making a career breakthrough at the 2017 Joburg Open, the 22-year-old Sharma carried his winning momentum over to the new season and clinched his second Asian Tour title at the Maybank Championship in Malaysia.

 

 

 

 

                                           2018: An incredible year of achievements for Shubhankar Sharma 

 

 

 

There, Sharma overcame a four-shot deficit by shooting a final round 10-under-par 62 to claim a stunning two-shot victory at the US$3 million event. He earned a winner's cheque of US$500,000, which gave him a significant headstart in the merit race.

 

 

A month later in March, he set a new course record at the DLF Golf and Country Club en route to a tied-seventh finish at the Hero Indian Open. Sharma carded a sizzling 64 in the second round, beating the mark set by 2017 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Gavin Green by one shot.

 

 

Sharma's commendable finish in India extended his advantage on the Habitat for Humanity Standings. The merit race was heating up following the outstanding performances by Korea's Sanghyun Park and South Africa's Justin Harding on Tour. However, Sharma had one hand on the coveted trophy after he finished tied-sixth finish at the Honma Hong Kong Open presented by Amundi in November.

 

 

With Park not playing and Harding missing the cut at the South African Open, Sharma's lead on the merit list is unassailable going into the season-ending Indonesian Masters. And with that, Sharma is crowned Asia's new number one.

 

 

Sharma is the fifth Indian to earn the distinction. Outside the Tour, Sharma has a top-10 at the 2018 WGC-Mexico Championship to his name, played all four Major tournaments this year and was awarded the European Tour Rookie of the Year.

 

(With inputs from Asian Tour)