Shubhankar Sharma was unable to find the momentum that had carried him into a share of the lead after three rounds as he slid to Tied-10th on the final day of the CIMB Classic at TPC Kuala Lumpur. He won INR 1.30 crore prize money as there was still a tinge of ‘disappointment’ at not being able to snare a breakthrough win.

 

 

 

 

Yet, it was his second Top 10 finish on the PGA Tour and ended a disappointing run over the last few months. But there was still a tinge of ‘disappointment’ at not being able to snare a breakthrough PGA Tour win.

 

Australian Marc Leishman (65), who nearly quit the game three and a half years ago, when his wife Audrey was diagnosed with a condition that nearly cost her life, completed a brilliant week. It included a second round 10-under 62, which put him in shared lead at the end of second and third rounds and he never let go from there.

 

 

 

 

Shubhankar Sharma in action during the final round of the CIMB Classic. Image courtesy: Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.Shubhankar Sharma in action during the final round of the CIMB Classic. Image courtesy: Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

 

Leishman totalled 26-under 262, which equalled the tournament record set in 2015 by Justin Thomas. Leishman was five clear of the second placed trio, first round leader, Bronson Burgoon (68), Emiliano Grillo (66) and Chesson Hadley (66) finished T-2 at 21-under 267.

 

 

 

 

Among other Indians, Gaganjeet Bhullar had a good finish with a 7-under 65 that lifted him 15 places up to T-27 as he ended at 13-under 275 despite a closing bogey. After one bogey and two birdies on the back nine of the course, which he played first on Sunday, Bhullar was on fire with five birdies and an eagle in eight holes from first to the eighth, before finishing with a bogey in his 65.

 

 

Anirban Lahiri (70) was 4-under 284 for the week, while Rahil Gangjee (72) was 5-over and T-75th. Sharma makes strong comeback, only to give it away.

 

 

Sharma, who came here with six missed cuts in nine starts and a best of T-42nd in Taiwan, took positives from the result and said, “It was disappointing (finishing T-10 after being in lead), but I would gave gladly taken this before the start, coming from where I was before this week. A Top 10, my second one on the PGA Tour, and a 19-under total is not bad. It gives me a good feeling for next two weeks in Korea and Shanghai,” said Sharma.

 

Day 1: Shubhankar Sharma’s five birdies gives him a rock-solid start at the CIMB Classic 

Day 2: Shubhankar Sharma fires superb 64; lies third at CIMB Classic

Day 3: Shubhankar Sharma takes share of lead at CIMB, eyes maiden PGA Tour title

 

(Source: PTI)