Shubhankar Sharma is the new poster boy of Indian Golf. Leading his way, the 21-year old played his heart out in the energy-sapping game to claim his first ever European Tour Title at the Joburg Open. Sharma battled all odds that came in the form of bad weather to make his strong presence felt in the game.

 

 

                   South Africans Rooyen (left) and Norris (right) join Sharma in securing their spots at The Open 2018

 

With 11 holes remaining in the final round, played on Monday after rain curtailed play on Sunday, Sharma carried a five-shot lead over South African Erik van Rooyen. Sharma, ranked 462 in the men's golf rankings, shot a final round 3 under par 69 to finish three shots ahead of South African Erik van Rooyen.

 

This is the first title win on the European Tour for the 21-year-old, who became the first Asian to win the Joburg Open in his first appearance in South Africa. With this win, Sharma has claimed one of three tickets to The Open in 2018.

 

The 21-year-old Sharma led for the final two rounds after a scintillating 61 on Friday and had 11 holes to complete after lightning, rain and hail forced the event into an extra day.

 

 

                                        Sharma holds the record as the first Asian to lift the Joburg Open trophy

 

His tournament total of 23 under-par was three ahead of South African Erik van Rooyen (66), whose outright second place provided him with a best-ever European Tour finish.

 

“It feels wonderful to have won, I actually wasn’t going to come to South Africa about a week ago, but in the end decided to travel and I ‘m really happy I did that,” Sharma said at the trophy presentation.

 

“I hit the ball good and putted well, but the key for me were the up and downs I made through the week. Once in a while you have to make some par saves to get a round going and I did that.”

 

South African Shaun Norris (65) finished tied for third with Finland’s Tapio Pulkkanen (68) at 17 under-par, a result that allows the former to join Sharma and Van Rooyen in the field at next year’s Open Championship at Carnoustie Golf Links.

 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW?

• Sharma is the 11th Asian Tour member in his 20s to win in 2017. He is also the 11th first-time winner this season.
• Sharma took home a winner’s prize purse of US$191,532 and received 17 Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, thanks to his victory.
• He is the fifth Indian golfer to win on the Asian Tour this year.
• At the age of 21 years and 143 days, Sharma is the second youngest Indian golfer to win a first Asian Tour title after Gaganjeet Bhullar (21 years and 90 days).
• He is the third youngest player to win on the Asian Tour in 2017 after Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand and Micah Lauren Shin of the United States.
• Sharma is now the first Indian to win in South Africa. He also holds the record as the first Asian to lift the Joburg Open trophy.
• He punched his ticket to The Open in 2018 which will be his first ever appearance in a Major tournament.
• The Joburg Open was extended to Monday after thunderstorms forced officials to call off play on Sunday. Sharma returned to the eighth hole which he parred before making birdie on the next hole.
• He totalled 26 birdies at the Joburg Open and only dropped three bogeys in his opening round. He was flawless in the final 54 holes.

 

Day 4: Joburg Open to create history with its Monday finish as thunderstorms play havoc

Day 3: India's Sharma continues his blistering form, takes 5-shot lead at Joburg Open

Day 2: India's Sharma displays pure talent, shoots a sensational 10-under 61 at Joburg Open

Day 1: Davidse combats ailment to take lead at Joburg Open, India’s Shubankar Sharma tied at 38th